Fractional quantum Hall effect

The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect is a special type of quantum mechanical event that happens in flat pieces of certain materials when a magnetic field is applied. Scientists have learned that when the magnetic field is just right, special types of particles (called electrons) line up and form strange patterns. These patterns can be used to create something called a 'Hall Plateau', which is a flat area where the electrical resistance—a measure of how much electricity can flow—stays the same no matter how much you change the voltage. This discovery is special because it shows that you can create something which is called a quasiparticle, which is a particle that behaves like several smaller particles, even though it's just one.