Fractionalized anyons in counterflowing Quantum Hall Liquids

A key property of topologically ordered systems, such as Quantum Hall states, is the existence of excitations obeying fractional quantum statistics - anyons. We develop a theory for multicomponent counterflow states where an ordinary Laughlin quasiparticle can split into fractional vortices carrying fractions of its charge and statistical angle. There are two phases, separated by a quantum phase transition, where in the first, although observable, the fractionalized charges are asymptotically confined. In the second phase, they are unconfined anyons and the topological order is different from that of the Laughlin state.