Edge of the Laughlin droplet

Properties of the Laughlin droplet at filling factor {ν}=1/3 are numerically analyzed, both by exact evaluation of the Laughlin wave function and by Monte Carlo calculation. A distinct peak is observed near the edge of the Laughlin droplet. Calculations based on the generalized hypernetted-chain approximation, for a system with a hole of arbitrary size, show that this density nonuniformity at the edge is a result of electron-electron correlations in the quantum Hall system. The surface energy per unit length of the edge is evaluated. The generalized hypernetted-chain approximation yields a value, which is significantly high compared to that obtained by Monte Carlo calculations, even though it is a substantial improvement over the value obtained by using the ordinary hypernetted-chain approximation. {} 1996 The American Physical Society.