Theory HEP Seminar

A Gravity Dual to Quantum Hall Plateau Transitions

Joshua Davies

UBC

In this talk, I will discuss the application of the gauge/gravity duality to the quantum Hall effect. Specifically, I will introduce a model in type IIB string theory which describes a system of interacting fermions which are localized at the 2+1 dimensional intersection of two stacks of D-branes. This model can be analyzed at weak coupling using conventional field theory techniques and at strong coupling by using elements of the AdS/CFT correspondence. In both regimes, one finds that the system has the qualitative features of a quantum Hall plateau state, i.e. zero longitudinal conductivity and quantized hall conductivity. Furthermore, a set of continuous parameters of the model can be varied to affect a series of plateau transitions between distinct quantum Hall states. I will also discuss shortcomings of this model and speculate how such problems may be addressed.