A Zoo of quantum phases in twisted MoTe2 bilayers

The fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect in twisted MoTe₂ bilayers provides a highly tunable platform for exploring strongly correlated and topological phases at zero magnetic field. While transport and static optical measurements have revealed several fractional Chern insulators, many theoretically predicted exotic states remain undetected. Here we use pump–probe spectroscopy with exciton and trion sensing to uncover nearly 30 hidden correlated states, including a variety of new fractional filling states. These states are potential candidates for fractional topological/chern insulators and non-Abelian phases. Time-resolved measurements reveal two distinct melting and recovery timescales (2–4 ps and 180–270 ps), corresponding to electronic and phonon-mediated processes. We further identify phonon couplings and dynamics between electron- and hole-doped states linked to moiré wavefunction localization. Our results highlight the power of ultrafast spectroscopy to reveal incipient correlated states invisible to conventional probes.