Quantum Hall States of High Symmetry

Abstract

We identify some hidden symmetries of Chern-Simons theories, such as appear in the effective theory for quantized Hall states. This allows us to determine which filling fractions admit spin-singlet quantum Hall states. Our results shed some light on states already observed at $\nu=2/3$, and transitions between them. We identify SU(2), or higher, symmetries of many additional states -- including spin-polarized states. Our symmetries classify low-lying excited states and may be of use in the construction of trial wavefunctions, but are typically not present in the edge theory, where they are lifted by non-universal couplings.