A team of researchers has used a new technique called exciton-resonant microwave impedance microscopy (ER-MIM) to image the edge states of a fractional Chern insulator (FCI) in twisted MoTe₂. This technique allows for high-resolution imaging of local conductivity, revealing the insulating bulk and conductive edges of the FCI state. The study shows that the system transitions between metallic and FCI states as carrier density is varied, with the FCI state exhibiting the expected insulating bulk and conductive edges. The researchers also observed the evolution of edge states across a topological phase transition from an incompressible Chern insulator state to a metal and then to a putative charge ordered insulating state as a function of interlayer electric field. The local measurements revealed neighboring domains with different fractional orders, suggesting the potential for studying topologically protected 1D interfaces between various anyonic states at zero magnetic field. The findings provide strong confirmation of previous discoveries made through transport measurements and highlight the importance of local probing in understanding the physical properties of FCI states. The study also demonstrates the ability to observe adjacent domains of different FCI states, with the interface defined by a narrow channel in the top gate. The results suggest exciting future directions for research into topologically protected 1D interfaces formed between different anyonic orders at zero magnetic field.A team of researchers has used a new technique called exciton-resonant microwave impedance microscopy (ER-MIM) to image the edge states of a fractional Chern insulator (FCI) in twisted MoTe₂. This technique allows for high-resolution imaging of local conductivity, revealing the insulating bulk and conductive edges of the FCI state. The study shows that the system transitions between metallic and FCI states as carrier density is varied, with the FCI state exhibiting the expected insulating bulk and conductive edges. The researchers also observed the evolution of edge states across a topological phase transition from an incompressible Chern insulator state to a metal and then to a putative charge ordered insulating state as a function of interlayer electric field. The local measurements revealed neighboring domains with different fractional orders, suggesting the potential for studying topologically protected 1D interfaces between various anyonic states at zero magnetic field. The findings provide strong confirmation of previous discoveries made through transport measurements and highlight the importance of local probing in understanding the physical properties of FCI states. The study also demonstrates the ability to observe adjacent domains of different FCI states, with the interface defined by a narrow channel in the top gate. The results suggest exciting future directions for research into topologically protected 1D interfaces formed between different anyonic orders at zero magnetic field.