Second-quantization picture of the edge currents in the fractional quantum Hall effect

We study the quantum theory of two-dimensional electrons in a magnetic field and an electric field generated by a homogeneous background. The dynamics separates into a microscopic and a macroscopic mode. The latter is a circular Hall current which is described by a chiral quantum field theory. It is shown how in this second-quantized picture a Laughlin-type wave function emerges. Received: 30 January 2001 / Published online: 23 March 2001