A note contrasting two microscopic theories of the fractional quantum Hall effect

Two microscopic theories have been proposed for the explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, namely the Haldane–Halperin hierarchy theory and the composite fermion theory. Contradictory statements have been made regarding the relation between them, ranging from their being distinct to their being completely equivalent. This article attempts to provide a clarification of the issue. It is shown that the two theories postulate distinct microscopic mechanisms for the origin of the fractional quantum Hall effect, and make substantially different predictions that have allowed experiments to distinguish between them.