Evolution of quasiparticle charge in the fractional quantum hall regime.

The charge of quasiparticles in a fractional quantum Hall (FQH) liquid, tunneling through a partly reflecting constriction with transmission t, was determined via shot noise measurements. In the nu = 1/3 FQH state, a charge smoothly evolving from e(*) = e/3 for t(1/3) congruent with 1 to e(*) = e for t(1/3)<<1 was determined, agreeing with chiral Luttinger liquid theory. In the nu = 2/5 FQH state the quasiparticle charge evolves smoothly from e(*) = e/5 at t(2/5) congruent with 1 to a maximum charge less than e(*) = e/3 at t(2/5)<<1. Thus it appears that quasiparticles with an approximate charge e/5 pass a barrier they see as almost opaque.