On the Chern-Simons Gauge Theory of Anyons in the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

Abstract

This short note was born out of discussions on anyons in the FQHE at the YITP workshop "Fundamental problems of quantum field theories" (December 19-21, 2001, YITP, Kyoto). At that time, I felt that there might not be a sound consensus of opinion on the subject. Now, I would like to show my understanding here, the essential part of which is based on hep-th/0110197. The first problem discussed is a notion of ``bosonized electrons (bosonization)", which are unphysical objects from the standpoint of the Chern-Simons gauge invariance. Therefore, their condensate is merely of mathematical concept and the true physical state realized is a liquid-like one made of degeneration of anyons. Based on this recognition, I argue about a mechanism of the degeneration that results from the genuine CS gauge field theory. It is noted that the Ginzburg-Landau effective theory is not necessary. As the last problem, the gauge invariance in the "composite-fermion theories" is discussed.