Activation gaps for the fractional quantum Hall effect: Realistic treatment of transverse thickness

The activation gaps for fractional quantum Hall states at filling fractions ν = n/(2n+1) are computed for heterojunction, square-quantum-well, and parabolic-quantum-well geometries, using an interaction potential calculated from a self-consistent electronic structure calculation in the local density approximation. The finite thickness is estimated to make a approximately 30% correction to the gap in the heterojunction geometry for typical parameters, which accounts for roughly half of the discrepancy between the experiment and theoretical gaps computed for a pure two-dimensional system. Certain model interactions are also considered. It is found that the activation energies behave qualitatively differently depending on whether the interaction is of longer or shorter range than the Coulomb interaction; there are indications that fractional Hall states close to the Fermi sea are destabilized for the latter.