We show that for electrons on a two-dimensional plane exposed to a strong magnetic field, the state at filling factor $\nu =1∕5$ is better described as a composite-fermion crystal than as a Laughlin liquid for small systems, but the latter prevails for systems containing more than ten particles. A variational combination of the two wave functions provides an extremely accurate wave function for small systems. This indicates that the $\nu =1∕5$ fractional quantum Hall liquid is highly susceptible to formation of composite-fermion crystallites in it. Experimental implications are considered.

• Received 15 January 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.155323