CMP Journal 2025-07-16
Statistics
Nature: 24
Nature Materials: 2
Nature Reviews Physics: 1
Physical Review Letters: 24
Physical Review X: 2
arXiv: 79
Nature
Temperature-Related Hospitalization Burden under Climate Change
Original Paper | Climate-change impacts | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Shujie Liao, Wei Pan, Li Wen, Rongkai chen, Dongyang Pan, Renjie Wang, Cheng Hu, Hongbo Duan, Hong Weng, Chenxiao Tian, Wenxuan Kong, Ruan Jinghan, Yichuan Zhang, Ming Xi, Xianbin Zhang, Xinghuan Wang
Climate change has significantly increased adverse effects on human health, and economic growth1-3. However, few studies have differentiated the impacts of extreme temperatures at the city level, and analysed the future implications for human health under various climate change scenarios.4-6 Here, data on historical relationship among six kinds of climate-sensitive diseases (CSD) hospitalizations and temperatures across 301 cities (over 90% of all cities) and more than 7,000 hospitals in China are leveraged, and a nonlinear distributed lag model is used. This study projects hospitalization risks associated with extreme temperatures through to the year 2100 and develops the Hospitalization Burden Economic Index to assess the burden under three carbon emission scenarios in cities. Five dimensions including spatial distribution, disease categories, population age groups, future time horizons, and carbon emission development pathways have been evaluated. Historical data specifically indicate more temperature-related risks among the CSDs in northwestern and southwestern China. Notably, gestation-related disease risk is associated with increased vulnerability to extreme heat in specific regions. The projections reveal that, under current thermal conditions with no adaptations, the excess hospitalizations from extreme heat will reach 5.1 million people by 2100 under the high emission scenario.These findings highlight the need for targeted climate change mitigation strategies to reduce uneven climate-related hospitalization risks and economic burdens while accounting for differences in city geography, extreme temperatures, population groups and carbon emission development pathways.
Climate-change impacts, Climate-change mitigation, Natural hazards
Redox-powered autonomous directional C-C bond rotation under enzyme control
Original Paper | Biocatalysis | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Jordan Berreur, Olivia F. B. Watts, Theo H. N. Bulless, Nicholas T. O’Donoghue, Marc Del Olmo, Ashley J. Winter, Jonathan Clayden, Beatrice S. L. Collins
Living biological systems rely on the continuous operation of chemical reaction networks. These networks sustain out-of-equilibrium regimes in which chemical energy is continually converted into controlled mechanical work and motion1,2,3. Out-of-equilibrium reaction networks have also enabled the design and successful development of artificial autonomously operating molecular machines4,5, in which networks comprising pairs of formally–but non-microscopically–reverse reaction pathways drive controlled motion at the molecular level. In biological systems, the concurrent operation of several reaction pathways is enabled by the chemoselectivity of enzymes and their cofactors, and nature’s dissipative reaction networks involve several classes of reactions. By contrast, the reactivity that has been harnessed to develop chemical reaction networks in pursuit of artificial molecular machines is limited to a single reaction type. Only a small number of synthetic systems exhibit chemically fuelled continuous controlled molecular-level motion6,7,8 and all exploit the same class of acylation-hydrolysis reaction. Here we show that a redox reaction network, comprising concurrent oxidation and reduction pathways, can drive chemically fuelled continuous autonomous unidirectional motion about a C-C bond in a structurally simple synthetic molecular motor based on an achiral biphenyl. The combined use of an oxidant and reductant as fuels and the directionality of the motor are both enabled by exploiting the enantioselectivity and functional separation of reactivity inherent to enzyme catalysis.
Biocatalysis, Stereochemistry
Imidazole propionate is a driver and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis
Original Paper | Atherosclerosis | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Annalaura Mastrangelo, Iñaki Robles-Vera, Diego Mañanes, Miguel Galán, Marcos Femenía-Muiña, Ana Redondo-Urzainqui, Rafael Barrero-Rodríguez, Eleftheria Papaioannou, Joaquín Amores-Iniesta, Ana Devesa, Manuel Lobo-González, Alba Carreras, Katharina R. Beck, Sophie Ivarsson, Anders Gummesson, Georgios Georgiopoulos, Manuel Rodrigo-Tapias, Sarai Martínez-Cano, Ivan Fernández-López, Vanessa Nuñez, Alessia Ferrarini, Naohiro Inohara, Kimon Stamatelopoulos, Alberto Benguría, Danay Cibrian, Francisco Sánchez-Madrid, Vanesa Alonso-Herranz, Ana Dopazo, Coral Barbas, Jesús Vázquez, Juan Antonio López, Alicia González-Martín, Gabriel Nuñez, Konstantinos Stellos, Göran Bergström, Fredrik Bäckhed, Valentín Fuster, Borja Ibañez, David Sancho
Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases. Its prevention is based on the detection and treatment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors1. However, individuals at risk for early vascular disease often remain unidentified2. Recent research has identified new molecules in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis3, highlighting the need for alternative disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve early diagnosis and therapy efficacy. Here, we observed that imidazole propionate (ImP), produced by microorganisms, is associated with the extent of atherosclerosis in mice and in two independent human cohorts. Furthermore, ImP administration to atherosclerosis-prone mice fed with chow diet was sufficient to induce atherosclerosis without altering the lipid profile, and was linked to activation of both systemic and local innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation. Specifically, we found that ImP caused atherosclerosis through the imidazoline-1 receptor (I1R, also known as nischarin) in myeloid cells. Blocking this ImP-I1R axis inhibited the development of atherosclerosis induced by ImP or high-cholesterol diet in mice. Identification of the strong association of ImP with active atherosclerosis and the contribution of the ImP-I1R axis to disease progression opens new avenues for improving the early diagnosis and personalized therapy of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis, Translational research
A male-essential miRNA is key for avian sex chromosome dosage compensation
Original Paper | Dosage compensation | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Amir Fallahshahroudi, Sara Yousefi Taemeh, Leticia Rodríguez-Montes, Nils Trost, Dana Frank, Pascal Lafrenz, Jiri Koubek, Guillermo Tellez Jr., Maeve Ballantyne, Alewo Idoko-Akoh, Lorna Taylor, Adrian Sherman, Megan Davey, Cheng Ma, Enrico Sorato, Martin Johnsson, Christina Grozou, Ying Xue, Long Liu, Guenter Kramer, Carl-Johan Rubin, Margarida Cardoso-Moreira, Mike J. McGrew, Henrik Kaessmann
Birds have a sex chromosome system in which females are heterogametic (ZW) and males are homogametic (ZZ)1. The differentiation of avian sex chromosomes from ancestral autosomes entails the loss of most genes from the W chromosome during evolution1,2. However, the extent to which mechanisms evolved that counterbalance this substantial reduction in female gene dosage remains unclear. Here we report functional in vivo and evolutionary analyses of a Z-linked microRNA (miR-2954) with strong male-biased expression, previously proposed to mediate avian sex chromosome dosage compensation3. We knocked out miR-2954 in chicken, which resulted in early embryonic lethality in homozygous knockout males, probably driven by specific upregulation of dosage-sensitive Z-linked target genes. Evolutionary gene expression analyses further revealed that these dosage-sensitive target genes underwent both transcriptional and translational upregulation on the single Z in female birds. Altogether, this work unveils a scenario in which evolutionary pressures following W gene loss drove transcriptional and translational upregulation of dosage-sensitive Z-linked genes in females but also their transcriptional upregulation in males. The resulting excess of transcripts in males, resulting from the combined activity of two upregulated dosage-sensitive Z gene copies, was in turn offset by the emergence of a highly targeted miR-2954-mediated transcript degradation mechanism during avian evolution. This study uncovered a unique sex chromosome dosage compensation system in birds, in which a microRNA has become essential for male survival.
Dosage compensation, Evolutionary developmental biology, Evolutionary genetics, Gene expression profiling, miRNAs
Immigrant-native pay gap driven by lack of access to high-paying jobs
Original Paper | Economics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Are Skeie Hermansen, Andrew Penner, István Boza, Marta M. Elvira, Olivier Godechot, Martin Hällsten, Lasse Folke Henriksen, Feng Hou, Zoltán Lippényi, Trond Petersen, Malte Reichelt, Halil Sabanci, Mirna Safi, Donald Tomaskovic-Devey, Erik Vickstrom
Immigrants to high-income countries often face considerable and persistent difficulties in the labour market1,2,3,4,5,6, whereas their native-born children typically experience economic progress6,7,8,9. However, little is known about the extent to which these immigrant-native earnings differences stem from unequal pay when doing the same work for the same employer versus labour market processes that sort immigrants into lower-paid jobs. Here, using data from nine European and North American countries, we show that the segregation of workers with immigrant backgrounds into lower-paying jobs accounts for about three-quarters of overall immigrant-native earnings differences. Although within-job pay inequality remains notable for immigrants in several countries, our results demonstrate that unequal access to higher-paying jobs is the primary driver of the immigrant-native pay gap across a range of institutionally and demographically diverse contexts. These findings highlight the importance of policies aimed at reducing between-job segregation, such as language training10,11,12,13, job training13,14,15, job search assistance programmes13,15, improving access to domestic education13,16,17, recognizing foreign qualifications18,19, and settlement programmes aimed at enhancing access to job-relevant information and networks13,20,21. Policies that target employer bias in hiring and promotion decisions are also likely to be effective, whereas measures aimed at ensuring equal pay for equal work may have more limited scope for further progress in closing the immigrant-native pay gap22,23,24,25,26,27,28.
Economics, Sociology
Neutrophils drive vascular occlusion, tumour necrosis and metastasis
Original Paper | Cancer microenvironment | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Jose M. Adrover, Xiao Han, Lijuan Sun, Takeo Fujii, Nicole Sivetz, Juliane Daßler-Plenker, Clary Evans, Jessica Peters, Xue-Yan He, Courtney D. Cannon, Won Jin Ho, George Raptis, R. Scott Powers, Mikala Egeblad
Tumour necrosis is associated with poor prognosis in cancer1,2 and is thought to occur passively when tumour growth outpaces nutrient supply. Here we report, however, that neutrophils actively induce tumour necrosis. In multiple cancer mouse models, we found a tumour-elicited Ly6GHighLy6CLow neutrophil population that was unable to extravasate in response to inflammatory challenges but formed neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) more efficiently than classical Ly6GHighLy6CHigh neutrophils. The presence of these ‘vascular-restricted’ neutrophils correlated with the appearance of a ‘pleomorphic’ necrotic architecture in mice. In tumours with pleomorphic necrosis, we found intravascular aggregates of neutrophils and NETs that caused occlusion of the tumour vasculature, driving hypoxia and necrosis of downstream vascular beds. Furthermore, we found that cancer cells adjacent to these necrotic regions (that is, in ‘perinecrotic’ areas) underwent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, explaining the paradoxical metastasis-enhancing effect of tumour necrosis. Blocking NET formation genetically or pharmacologically reduced the extent of tumour necrosis and lung metastasis. Thus, by showing that NETs drive vascular occlusion, pleomorphic necrosis and metastasis, we demonstrate that tumour necrosis is not necessarily a passive byproduct of tumour growth and that it can be blocked to reduce metastatic spread.
Cancer microenvironment, Metastasis, Tumour immunology
Super-resolution stimulated X-ray Raman spectroscopy
Original Paper | Atomic and molecular interactions with photons | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Kai Li, Christian Ott, Marcus Agåker, Phay J. Ho, Gilles Doumy, Alexander Magunia, Marc Rebholz, Marc Simon, Tommaso Mazza, Alberto De Fanis, Thomas M. Baumann, Jacobo Montano, Nils Rennhack, Sergey Usenko, Yevheniy Ovcharenko, Kalyani Chordiya, Lan Cheng, Jan-Erik Rubensson, Michael Meyer, Thomas Pfeifer, Mette B. Gaarde, Linda Young
Propagation of intense X-ray pulses through dense media has led to the observation of phenomena such as atomic X-ray lasing1,2, self-induced transparency3 and stimulated X-ray Raman scattering (SXRS)4. SXRS has been long predicted as a means to launch and probe valence-electron wavepackets and as a building block for nonlinear X-ray spectroscopies5,6. However, experimental observations of SXRS to date4,7,8 have not provided spectroscopic information, and theoretical modelling has largely implemented hard-to-realize phase-coherent attosecond pulses. Here we demonstrate SXRS with spectroscopic precision, that is, detection of valence-excited states in neon with a near Fourier-limited joint energy-time resolution of 0.1 eV-40 fs. We used a new covariance analysis between statistically spiky broadband incident X-ray and scattered X-ray Raman pulses. Using 18,000 single shots, we beat not only the incident (about 8 eV) bandwidth but also the approximately 0.2 eV instrumental energy resolution, thus creating super-resolution conditions, in analogy to super-resolved fluorescence microscopy9. Our experimental results, supported by ab initio propagation simulations, reveal the competition between lasing in the ion and stimulated Raman scattering in the neutral. We demonstrate enhanced signal collection efficiency and a broad excitation window, surpassing spontaneous Raman efficiencies by orders of magnitude. This stochastic SXRS approach represents a first step towards tracking elementary events that determine chemical outcomes10.
Atomic and molecular interactions with photons, Attosecond science, Techniques and instrumentation
Mitochondrial origins of the pressure to sleep
Original Paper | Cellular neuroscience | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Raffaele Sarnataro, Cecilia D. Velasco, Nicholas Monaco, Anissa Kempf, Gero Miesenböck
To gain a comprehensive, unbiased perspective on molecular changes in the brain that may underlie the need for sleep, we have characterized the transcriptomes of single cells isolated from rested and sleep-deprived flies. Here we report that transcripts upregulated after sleep deprivation, in sleep-control neurons projecting to the dorsal fan-shaped body1,2 (dFBNs) but not ubiquitously in the brain, encode almost exclusively proteins with roles in mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis. These gene expression changes are accompanied by mitochondrial fragmentation, enhanced mitophagy and an increase in the number of contacts between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, creating conduits3,4 for the replenishment of peroxidized lipids5. The morphological changes are reversible after recovery sleep and blunted by the installation of an electron overflow6,7 in the respiratory chain. Inducing or preventing mitochondrial fission or fusion8,9,10,11,12,13 in dFBNs alters sleep and the electrical properties of sleep-control cells in opposite directions: hyperfused mitochondria increase, whereas fragmented mitochondria decrease, neuronal excitability and sleep. ATP concentrations in dFBNs rise after enforced waking because of diminished ATP consumption during the arousal-mediated inhibition of these neurons14, which augments their mitochondrial electron leak7. Consistent with this view, uncoupling electron flux from ATP synthesis15 relieves the pressure to sleep, while exacerbating mismatches between electron supply and ATP demand (by powering ATP synthesis with a light-driven proton pump16) precipitates sleep. Sleep, like ageing17,18, may be an inescapable consequence of aerobic metabolism.
Cellular neuroscience, Energy metabolism, Molecular neuroscience, Senescence, Sleep
Dynamic kinetic resolution of phosphines with chiral supporting electrolytes
Original Paper | Electrochemistry | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Kaining Mao, Chenfei Liu, Yi Wang, Chaoxuan Gu, John M. Putziger, Nicholas I. Cemalovic, Cameron Muniz, Yue Qi, Song Lin
The synthesis of enantiopure compounds is a central focus in organic chemistry owing to the prevalence of chiral centres in biological systems and the impact of homochirality on molecular properties. With growing recognition of electrochemistry as a powerful tool to improve the scope and sustainability of organic synthesis1, increasing efforts have been directed towards developing asymmetric electrocatalytic reactions to access challenging chiral molecules2,3,4. However, many useful electrochemical reactions rely on direct electrolysis without a catalyst, making them inherently difficult to render enantioselective. Supporting electrolytes are integral to electrochemical systems and, in addition to ensuring sufficient solution conductivity, they can influence the rate and selectivity of electrochemical transformations5. Chiral supporting electrolytes can mediate asymmetric reactions via direct electrolysis, but their use in organic electrosynthesis remains largely unexplored6,7. Here we describe the use of substoichiometric chiral phosphate salts as supporting electrolytes to facilitate the oxidation of racemic trivalent phosphines to afford enantioenriched phosphine oxides. Our approach relies on a dynamic-kinetic-resolution strategy that exploits the rapid pyramidal inversion of an anodically generated phosphoniumyl radical cation8, while a high concentration of chiral phosphate at the electrode-electrolyte interface9,10 enhances enantioselective control during rate-limiting nucleophilic addition. Our results highlight the promise of chiral supporting electrolytes for promoting radical-ion-mediated asymmetric transformations.
Electrochemistry, Synthetic chemistry methodology
Ongoing genome doubling shapes evolvability and immunity in ovarian cancer
Original Paper | Cancer genomics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Andrew McPherson, Ignacio Vázquez-García, Matthew A. Myers, Duaa H. Al-Rawi, Matthew Zatzman, Adam C. Weiner, Samuel Freeman, Neeman Mohibullah, Gryte Satas, Marc J. Williams, Nicholas Ceglia, Danguolė Norkūnaitė, Allen W. Zhang, Jun Li, Jamie L. P. Lim, Michelle Wu, Seongmin Choi, Eliyahu Havasov, Diljot Grewal, Hongyu Shi, Minsoo Kim, Roland F. Schwarz, Tom Kaufmann, Khanh Ngoc Dinh, Florian Uhlitz, Julie Tran, Yushi Wu, Ruchi Patel, Satish Ramakrishnan, DooA Kim, Justin Clarke, Hunter Green, Emily Ali, Melody DiBona, Nancy Varice, Ritika Kundra, Vance Broach, Ginger J. Gardner, Kara Long Roche, Yukio Sonoda, Oliver Zivanovic, Sarah H. Kim, Rachel N. Grisham, Ying L. Liu, Agnes Viale, Nicole Rusk, Yulia Lakhman, Lora H. Ellenson, Simon Tavaré, Samuel Aparicio, Dennis S. Chi, Carol Aghajanian, Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum, Claire F. Friedman, Dmitriy Zamarin, Britta Weigelt, Samuel F. Bakhoum, Sohrab P. Shah
Whole-genome doubling (WGD) is a common feature of human cancers and is linked to tumour progression, drug resistance, and metastasis1,2,3,4,5,6. Here we examine the impact of WGD on somatic evolution and immune evasion at single-cell resolution in patient tumours. Using single-cell whole-genome sequencing, we analysed 70 high-grade serous ovarian cancer samples from 41 patients (30,260 tumour genomes) and observed near-ubiquitous evidence that WGD is an ongoing mutational process. WGD was associated with increased cell-cell diversity and higher rates of chromosomal missegregation and consequent micronucleation. We developed a mutation-based WGD timing method called doubleTime to delineate specific modes by which WGD can drive tumour evolution, including early fixation followed by considerable diversification, multiple parallel WGD events on a pre-existing background of copy-number diversity, and evolutionarily late WGD in small clones and individual cells. Furthermore, using matched single-cell RNA sequencing and high-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that inflammatory signalling and cGAS-STING pathway activation result from ongoing chromosomal instability, but this is restricted to predominantly diploid tumours (WGD-low). By contrast, predominantly WGD tumours (WGD-high), despite increased missegregation, exhibited cell-cycle dysregulation, STING1 repression, and immunosuppressive phenotypic states. Together, these findings establish WGD as an ongoing mutational process that promotes evolvability and dysregulated immunity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Cancer genomics, Cancer microenvironment, Phylogenetics, Phylogeny, Tumour heterogeneity
Identification of medication-microbiome interactions that affect gut infection
Original Paper | Epidemiology | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Aman Kumar, Ruizheng Sun, Bettina Habib, Tong Deng, Natasha A. Bencivenga-Barry, Noah W. Palm, Ivaylo I. Ivanov, Robyn Tamblyn, Andrew L. Goodman
Most people in the USA manage their health by taking at least one prescription drug, and drugs classified as non-antibiotics can adversely affect the gut microbiome and disrupt intestinal homeostasis1,2. Here we identify medications that are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections across a population cohort of more than one million individuals monitored over 15 years. Notably, the cardiac glycoside digoxin and other drugs identified in this epidemiological study are sufficient to alter the composition of the microbiome and the risk of infection with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Tm) in mice. The effect of digoxin treatment on S. Tm infection is transmissible through the microbiome, and characterization of this interaction highlights a digoxin-responsive β-defensin that alters the microbiome composition and consequent immune surveillance of the invading pathogen. Combining epidemiological and experimental approaches thus provides an opportunity to uncover drug-host-microbiome-pathogen interactions that increase the risk of infections in humans.
Epidemiology, Infection, Microbiome, Mucosal immunology
Non-antibiotics disrupt colonization resistance against enteropathogens
Original Paper | Antibiotics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Anne Grießhammer, Jacobo de la Cuesta-Zuluaga, Patrick Müller, Cordula Gekeler, Jan Homolak, Hsuan Chang, Katharina Schmitt, Chiara Planker, Verena Schmidtchen, Suchira Gallage, Erwin Bohn, Taylor H. Nguyen, Jenny Hetzer, Mathias Heikenwälder, Kerwyn Casey Huang, Taiyeb Zahir, Lisa Maier
Non-antibiotic drugs can alter the composition of the gut microbiome1, but they have largely unknown implications for human health2. Here we examined how non-antibiotics affect the ability of gut commensals to resist colonization by enteropathogens3. We also developed an in vitro assay to assess enteropathogen growth in drug-perturbed microbial communities. Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria were more resistant to non-antibiotics than commensals and their post-treatment expansion was potentiated. For 28% of the 53 drugs tested, the growth of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. (S. Tm) in synthetic and human stool-derived communities was increased, and similar effects were observed for other enteropathogens. Non-antibiotics promoted pathogen proliferation by inhibiting the growth of commensals, altering microbial interactions and enhancing the ability of S. Tm to exploit metabolic niches. Drugs that promoted pathogen expansion in vitro increased the intestinal S. Tm load in mice. For the antihistamine terfenadine, drug-induced disruption of colonization resistance accelerated disease onset and increased inflammation caused by S. Tm. Our findings identify non-antibiotics as previously overlooked risk factors that may contribute to the development of enteric infections.
Antibiotics, Microbiome
Long-range hyperbolic polaritons on a non-hyperbolic crystal surface
Original Paper | Nanophotonics and plasmonics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Lu Liu, Langlang Xiong, Chongwu Wang, Yihua Bai, Weiliang Ma, Yupeng Wang, Peining Li, Guogang Li, Qi Jie Wang, Francisco J. Garcia-Vidal, Zhigao Dai, Guangwei Hu
Hybridized matter-photon excitations in hyperbolic crystals–anisotropic materials characterized by permittivity tensor components with opposite sign–have attracted substantial attention owing to their strong light-matter interactions in the form of hyperbolic polaritons1,2,3. However, these phenomena have been restricted to hyperbolic crystals, whose optical responses are confined to fixed spectral regions and lack tunability, thereby limiting their broader applicability4,5. Here we demonstrate the emergence of hyperbolic surface phonon polaritons in a non-hyperbolic yttrium vanadate (YVO4) crystal. Using real-space nanoimaging combined with theoretical analyses, we visualize hyperbolic wavefronts of surface phonon polaritons on YVO4 crystal surfaces within its non-hyperbolic frequency range, where the permittivity tensor components of the material have the same negative sign. Furthermore, by varying the temperature from room temperature to cryogenic levels, we realize in situ manipulation of polariton dispersions, enabling a topological transition from hyperbolic to canalization and eventually to the elliptic regime. This temperature-controlled dispersion engineering not only provides precise control over polariton topology but also modulates their wavelength and group velocity, showing remarkable sensitivity alongside low-loss, long-range propagation. These findings extend the realm of hyperbolic nano-optics by removing the reliance on hyperbolic crystals, unlocking opportunities for applications in negative refraction6,7,8,9,10, superlensing11,12, polaritonic chemistry13, integrated photonics14,15,16 and beyond.
Nanophotonics and plasmonics, Polaritons
Remodelling autoactive NLRs for broad-spectrum immunity in plants
Original Paper | Molecular engineering in plants | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Junzhu Wang, Tianyuan Chen, Zhendong Zhang, Mengjie Song, Tianxin Shen, Xin Wang, Xiyin Zheng, Yan Wang, Ke Song, Xiaoyang Ge, Kai Xu, Tiancong Qi, Fuguang Li, Yiguo Hong, Yule Liu
Remodelling plant immune receptors has become a vital strategy for creating new disease resistance traits to combat the growing threat of plant pathogens to global food security and environmental sustainability1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17. However, current methods are constrained by the rapid evolution of plant pathogens and often lack broad-spectrum and durable protection. Here we report an innovative strategy to engineer broad-spectrum, durable and complete disease resistance in plants through expression of a chimeric protein containing a flexible polypeptide coupled with a single or dual conserved pathogen-originated protease cleavage site fused in frame to the N terminus of an autoactive nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich-repeat immune receptor (NLR) containing a coiled-coil or RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8-like coiled-coil domain. Following invasion, pathogen-originated specific proteases cleave the inactive chimeric protein to form free autoactive NLR, triggering broad-spectrum plant disease resistance. We demonstrate that a single engineered NLR can confer broad-spectrum and complete resistance against multiple potyviruses. Given that many pathogenic organisms across kingdoms encode proteases, this strategy has the potential to be exploited to control viruses, bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, nematodes and pests in plants.
Molecular engineering in plants, Plant immunity, Plant immunology, Viral host response
Adaptations for stealth in the wing-like flippers of a large ichthyosaur
Original Paper | Palaeoecology | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Johan Lindgren, Dean R. Lomax, Robert-Zoltán Szász, Miguel Marx, Johan Revstedt, Georg Göltz, Sven Sachs, Randolph G. De La Garza, Miriam Heingård, Martin Jarenmark, Kristina Ydström, Peter Sjövall, Frank Osbæck, Stephen A. Hall, Michiel Op de Beeck, Mats E. Eriksson, Carl Alwmark, Federica Marone, Alexander Liptak, Robert Atwood, Genoveva Burca, Per Uvdal, Per Persson, Dan-Eric Nilsson
With their superficially shark-like appearance, the Mesozoic ichthyosaurs provide a classic illustration of major morphological adaptations in an ancestrally terrestrial tetrapod lineage following the invasion of marine habitats1,2,3. Much of what is known about ichthyosaur soft tissues derives from specimens with body outlines4,5,6. However, despite offering insights into aspects of biology that are otherwise difficult to envisage from skeletal evidence alone (such as the presence of a crescentic fluke), information on their soft parts has hitherto been limited to a taxonomically narrow sample of small- to dolphin-sized animals2,4,5,6. Here we report the discovery of a metre-long front flipper of the large-bodied Jurassic ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus, including unique details of its soft-tissue anatomy. In addition to revealing a wing-like planform, the fossil preserves a serrated trailing edge that is reinforced by novel cartilaginous integumental elements, herein denominated chondroderms. We also document chordwise-parallel skin ornamentations and a protracted fleshy distal tip that presumably acted like a flexible winglet in life. By integrating morphological and numerical data, we show that the observed features probably provided hydroacoustic benefits, and conclude that the visually guided7,8 Temnodontosaurus relied on stealth while hunting in dim-lit pelagic environments. This unexpected combination of control surface modifications represents a previously unrecognized mode of concealment, and underscores the importance of soft-tissue fossils when inferring aspects of palaeoethology and predator-prey palaeoecology.
Palaeoecology, Palaeontology
Dual interfacial H-bonding-enhanced deep-blue hybrid copper-iodide LEDs
Original Paper | Lasers, LEDs and light sources | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Kun Zhu, Obadiah Reid, Sylvie Rangan, Li Wang, Jingbai Li, Kevin Antony Jesu Durai, Kang Zhou, Nasir Javed, Leila Kasaei, Chongqing Yang, Mingxing Li, Yue Sun, Kui Tan, Mircea Cotlet, Yi Liu, Leonard C. Feldman, Deirdre M. O’Carroll, Kai Zhu, Jing Li
Solution-processed light-emitting diodes based on non-toxic copper-iodide hybrids1 are a compelling solution for efficient and stable deep-blue lighting, owing to their tunability, high photoluminescence efficiency and environmental sustainability2. Here we present a hybrid copper-iodide that shows near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (99.6%) with an emission wavelength of 449 nm and colour coordinates (0.147, 0.087), alongside its emission mechanism and charge transport characteristics. We use the thin film of this hybrid as the sole active emissive layer to fabricate deep-blue light-emitting diodes and subsequently enhance the device performance through a dual interfacial hydrogen-bond passivation strategy. This synergetic surface modification approach, integrating a hydrogen-bond-acceptor self-assembled monolayer with an ultrathin polymethyl methacrylate capping layer, effectively passivates both heterojunctions of the copper-iodide hybrid emissive layer and optimizes charge injections. We achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency of 12.57%, a maximum luminance of 3,970.30 cd m-2 with colour coordinates (0.147, 0.091) and an excellent operational stability (half-lifetime) of 204 hours under ambient conditions. We further showcase a large-area device of 4 cm2 that maintains high efficiency. Our findings reveal the potential of copper-iodide-based hybrid materials for applications in solid-state lighting3 and display technologies4, offering a versatile strategy for enhancing device performances.
Lasers, LEDs and light sources, Optical materials
Longer scans boost prediction and cut costs in brain-wide association studies
Original Paper | Cognitive neuroscience | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Leon Qi Rong Ooi, Csaba Orban, Shaoshi Zhang, Thomas E. Nichols, Trevor Wei Kiat Tan, Ru Kong, Scott Marek, Nico U. F. Dosenbach, Timothy O. Laumann, Evan M. Gordon, Kwong Hsia Yap, Fang Ji, Joanna Su Xian Chong, Christopher Chen, Lijun An, Nicolai Franzmeier, Sebastian N. Roemer-Cassiano, Qingyu Hu, Jianxun Ren, Hesheng Liu, Sidhant Chopra, Carrisa V. Cocuzza, Justin T. Baker, Juan Helen Zhou, Danilo Bzdok, Simon B. Eickhoff, Avram J. Holmes, B. T. Thomas Yeo, Clifford R. Jack Jr
A pervasive dilemma in brain-wide association studies1 (BWAS) is whether to prioritize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan time or sample size. We derive a theoretical model showing that individual-level phenotypic prediction accuracy increases with sample size and total scan duration (sample size × scan time per participant). The model explains empirical prediction accuracies well across 76 phenotypes from nine resting-fMRI and task-fMRI datasets (R2 = 0.89), spanning diverse scanners, acquisitions, racial groups, disorders and ages. For scans of ≤20 min, accuracy increases linearly with the logarithm of the total scan duration, suggesting that sample size and scan time are initially interchangeable. However, sample size is ultimately more important. Nevertheless, when accounting for the overhead costs of each participant (such as recruitment), longer scans can be substantially cheaper than larger sample size for improving prediction performance. To achieve high prediction performance, 10 min scans are cost inefficient. In most scenarios, the optimal scan time is at least 20 min. On average, 30 min scans are the most cost-effective, yielding 22% savings over 10 min scans. Overshooting the optimal scan time is cheaper than undershooting it, so we recommend a scan time of at least 30 min. Compared with resting-state whole-brain BWAS, the most cost-effective scan time is shorter for task-fMRI and longer for subcortical-to-whole-brain BWAS. In contrast to standard power calculations, our results suggest that jointly optimizing sample size and scan time can boost prediction accuracy while cutting costs. Our empirical reference is available online for future study design (https://thomasyeolab.github.io/OptimalScanTimeCalculator/index.html).
Cognitive neuroscience, Computational neuroscience
Functional regimes define soil microbiome response to environmental change
Original Paper | Biophysics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Kiseok Keith Lee, Siqi Liu, Kyle Crocker, Jocelyn Wang, David R. Huggins, Mikhail Tikhonov, Madhav Mani, Seppe Kuehn
The metabolic activity of soil microbiomes has a central role in global nutrient cycles1. Understanding how soil metabolic activity responds to climate-driven environmental perturbations is a key challenge2,3. However, the ecological, spatial and chemical complexity of soils4,5,6 impedes understanding how these communities respond to perturbations. Here we address this complexity by combining dynamic measurements of respiratory nitrate metabolism7 with modelling to reveal functional regimes that define soil responses to environmental change. Measurements across more than 1,500 soil microcosms subjected to pH perturbations8,9 reveal regimes in which distinct mechanisms govern metabolite dynamics. A minimal model with two parameters, biomass activity and growth-limiting nutrient availability, predicts nitrate utilization dynamics across soils and pH perturbations. Parameter shifts under perturbation reveal three functional regimes, each linked to distinct mechanisms: (1) an acidic regime marked by cell death and suppressed metabolism; (2) a nutrient-limited regime in which dominant taxa exploit matrix-released nutrients; and (3) a resurgent growth regime driven by exponential growth of rare taxa in nutrient-rich conditions. We validated these model-derived mechanisms with nutrient measurements, amendment experiments, sequencing and isolate studies. Additional experiments and meta-analyses suggest that functional regimes are widespread in pH-perturbed soils.
Biophysics, Microbial ecology, Microbiome
Detecting structural heart disease from electrocardiograms using AI
Original Paper | Cardiovascular diseases | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Timothy J. Poterucha, Linyuan Jing, Ramon Pimentel Ricart, Michael Adjei-Mosi, Joshua Finer, Dustin Hartzel, Christopher Kelsey, Aaron Long, Daniel Rocha, Jeffrey A. Ruhl, David vanMaanen, Marc A. Probst, Brock Daniels, Shalmali D. Joshi, Olivier Tastet, Denis Corbin, Robert Avram, Joshua P. Barrios, Geoffrey H. Tison, I-Min Chiu, David Ouyang, Alexander Volodarskiy, Michelle Castillo, Francisco A. Roedan Oliver, Paloma P. Malta, Siqin Ye, Gregg F. Rosner, Jose M. Dizon, Shah R. Ali, Qi Liu, Corey K. Bradley, Prashant Vaishnava, Carol A. Waksmonski, Ersilia M. DeFilippis, Vratika Agarwal, Mark Lebehn, Polydoros N. Kampaktsis, Sofia Shames, Ashley N. Beecy, Deepa Kumaraiah, Shunichi Homma, Allan Schwartz, Rebecca T. Hahn, Martin Leon, Andrew J. Einstein, Mathew S. Maurer, Heidi S. Hartman, John Weston Hughes, Christopher M. Haggerty, Pierre Elias
Early detection of structural heart disease is critical to improving outcomes, but widespread screening remains limited by the cost and accessibility of imaging tools such as echocardiography1,2. Recent advances in machine learning applied to heart rhythm recordings have shown promise in identifying disease3,4, although previous work has been limited by development in narrow populations or targeting only select heart conditions5. Here we introduce a deep learning model, EchoNext, trained on more than 1 million heart rhythm and imaging records across a large and diverse health system to detect many forms of structural heart disease. The model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in internal and external validation, outperforming cardiologists in a controlled evaluation and showing consistent performance across different care settings and racial and/or ethnic groups. The models were prospectively evaluated in a clinical trial of patients without previous cardiac imaging, successfully identifying previously undiagnosed heart disease. These findings support the potential of artificial intelligence to expand access to heart disease screening at scale. To enable further development and transparency, we have publicly released model weights and a large, annotated dataset linking heart rhythm data to imaging-based diagnoses.
Cardiovascular diseases, Diagnosis, Heart failure, Outcomes research, Valvular disease
Biphasic liquids with shape-shifting and bistable microdomains
Original Paper | Chemical engineering | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Sangchul Roh, Youlim Ha, Nicholas L. Abbott
Liquids comprising two coexisting phases can form a range of stable and metastable states, including wetting films, droplets and threads1,2,3. Processes that permit rapid and reversible transformations between these morphologies, however, have been difficult to realize because physical properties required for rapid shape change (for example, low interfacial tension or viscosity) provide pathways for relaxation that result in short-lived states. Fully reversible formation of long-lived microdomain states would expand the palette of properties that can be accessed dynamically using biphasic liquids (for example, tunable optical metamaterials). Here we report the discovery of shape-shifting and bistable microdomains of a biphasic liquid system consisting of an isotropic oil and a liquid crystalline oil. The isotropic oil forms stable wetting films (‘original’ shape) between solid surfaces and an overlying liquid crystal phase, and, when exposed to a transient (<1 s) a.c. electric field at low frequency (10 Hz), transforms into long-lived (>24 h) spherical domains (‘temporary’ shape) stabilized by topological defects in the liquid crystal1,4,5. Subsequent application of an a.c. electric field of high frequency (1 kHz) triggers solitons to form in the liquid crystal6,7,8, creating kinetic pathways that lead to remarkably rapid (<3 s) coalescence of the dispersed spherical domains and recovery of the original shape (wetting film)1,8,9. We show rapid and reversible switching between distinct optical states of the biphasic system, with each state persisting without continuous application of the field, thus providing a combination of optical properties long sought in thin liquid films10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17. The fully reversible and long-lived emulsion formation reported here appears promising for materials synthesis, microchemical systems and tunable optical metamaterials (for example, to control visibility and transmittance of light through windows)17,18,19,20,21.
Chemical engineering, Liquid crystals, Surfaces, interfaces and thin films
Refractory solid condensation detected in an embedded protoplanetary disk
Original Paper | Astrophysical disks | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
M. K. McClure, Merel van’t Hoff, Logan Francis, Edwin Bergin, Will R. M. Rocha, J. A. Sturm, Daniel Harsono, Ewine F. van Dishoeck, John H. Black, J. A. Noble, D. Qasim, E. Dartois
Terrestrial planets and small bodies in our Solar System are theorized to have assembled from interstellar solids mixed with rocky solids that precipitated from a hot, cooling gas1,2. The first high-temperature minerals to recondense from this gaseous reservoir start the clock on planet formation3,4. However, the production mechanism of this initial hot gas and its importance to planet formation in other systems are unclear. Here we report the astronomical detection of this t = 0 moment, capturing the building blocks of a new planetary system beginning its assembly. The young protostar HOPS-315 is observed at infrared and millimetre wavelengths with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), revealing a reservoir of warm silicon monoxide gas and crystalline silicate minerals low in the atmosphere of a disk within 2.2 au of the star, physically isolated from the millimetre SiO jet. Comparison with condensation models with rapid grain growth and disk structure models suggests the formation of refractory solids analogous to those in our Solar System. Our results indicate that the environment in the inner disk region is influenced by sublimation of interstellar solids and subsequent refractory solid recondensation from this gas reservoir on timescales comparable with refractory condensation in our own Solar System.
Astrophysical disks, Early solar system, Exoplanets, Inner planets, Meteoritics
Observation of charge-parity symmetry breaking in baryon decays
Original Paper | Experimental particle physics | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
R. Aaij, A. S. W. Abdelmotteleb, C. Abellan Beteta, F. Abudinén, T. Ackernley, A. A. Adefisoye, B. Adeva, M. Adinolfi, P. Adlarson, C. Agapopoulou, C. A. Aidala, Z. Ajaltouni, S. Akar, K. Akiba, P. Albicocco, J. Albrecht, F. Alessio, M. Alexander, Z. Aliouche, P. Alvarez Cartelle, R. Amalric, S. Amato, J. L. Amey, Y. Amhis, L. An, L. Anderlini, M. Andersson, A. Andreianov, P. Andreola, M. Andreotti, D. Andreou, A. Anelli, D. Ao, F. Archilli, M. Argenton, S. Arguedas Cuendis, A. Artamonov, M. Artuso, E. Aslanides, R. Ataíde Da Silva, M. Atzeni, B. Audurier, D. Bacher, I. Bachiller Perea, S. Bachmann, M. Bachmayer, J. J. Back, P. Baladron Rodriguez, V. Balagura, A. Balboni, W. Baldini, L. Balzani, H. Bao, J. Baptista de Souza Leite, C. Barbero Pretel, M. Barbetti, I. R. Barbosa, R. J. Barlow, M. Barnyakov, S. Barsuk, W. Barter, J. Bartz, J. M. Basels, S. Bashir, B. Batsukh, P. B. Battista, A. Bay, A. Beck, M. Becker, F. Bedeschi, I. B. Bediaga, N. A. Behling, S. Belin, K. Belous, I. Belov, I. Belyaev, G. Benane, G. Bencivenni, E. Ben-Haim, A. Berezhnoy, R. Bernet, S. Bernet Andres, A. Bertolin, C. Betancourt, F. Betti, J. Bex, Ia. Bezshyiko, O. Bezshyyko, J. Bhom, M. S. Bieker, N. V. Biesuz, P. Billoir, A. Biolchini, M. Birch, F. C. R. Bishop, A. Bitadze, A. Bizzeti, T. Blake, F. Blanc, J. E. Blank, S. Blusk, V. Bocharnikov, J. A. Boelhauve, O. Boente Garcia, T. Boettcher, A. Bohare, A. Boldyrev, C. S. Bolognani, R. Bolzonella, R. B. Bonacci, N. Bondar, A. Bordelius, F. Borgato, S. Borghi, M. Borsato, J. T. Borsuk, E. Bottalico, S. A. Bouchiba, M. Bovill, T. J. V. Bowcock, A. Boyer, C. Bozzi, J. D. Brandenburg, A. Brea Rodriguez, N. Breer, J. Brodzicka, A. Brossa Gonzalo, J. Brown, D. Brundu, E. Buchanan, L. Buonincontri, M. Burgos Marcos, A. T. Burke, C. Burr, J. S. Butter, J. Buytaert, W. Byczynski, S. Cadeddu, H. Cai, A. Caillet, R. Calabrese, S. Calderon Ramirez, L. Calefice, S. Cali, M. Calvi, M. Calvo Gomez, P. Camargo Magalhaes, J. I. Cambon Bouzas, P. Campana, D. H. Campora Perez, A. F. Campoverde Quezada, S. Capelli, L. Capriotti, R. Caravaca-Mora, A. Carbone, L. Carcedo Salgado, R. Cardinale, A. Cardini, P. Carniti, L. Carus, A. Casais Vidal, R. Caspary, G. Casse, M. Cattaneo, G. Cavallero, V. Cavallini, S. Celani, S. Cesare, A. J. Chadwick, I. Chahrour, H. Chang, M. Charles, Ph. Charpentier, E. Chatzianagnostou, M. Chefdeville, C. Chen, S. Chen, Z. Chen, A. Chernov, S. Chernyshenko, X. Chiotopoulos, V. Chobanova, M. Chrzaszcz, A. Chubykin, V. Chulikov, P. Ciambrone, X. Cid Vidal, G. Ciezarek, P. Cifra, P. E. L. Clarke, M. Clemencic, H. V. Cliff, J. Closier, C. Cocha Toapaxi, V. Coco, J. Cogan, E. Cogneras, L. Cojocariu, S. Collaviti, P. Collins, T. Colombo, M. Colonna, A. Comerma-Montells, L. Congedo, A. Contu, N. Cooke, C. Coronel, I. Corredoira, A. Correia, G. Corti, J. Cottee Meldrum, B. Couturier, D. C. Craik, M. Cruz Torres, E. Curras Rivera, R. Currie, C. L. Da Silva, S. Dadabaev, L. Dai, X. Dai, E. Dall’Occo, J. Dalseno, C. D’Ambrosio, J. Daniel, A. Danilina, P. d’Argent, G. Darze, A. Davidson, J. E. Davies, O. De Aguiar Francisco, C. De Angelis, F. De Benedetti, J. de Boer, K. De Bruyn, S. De Capua, M. De Cian, U. De Freitas Carneiro Da Graca, E. De Lucia, J. M. De Miranda, L. De Paula, M. De Serio, P. De Simone, F. De Vellis, J. A. de Vries, F. Debernardis, D. Decamp, V. Dedu, S. Dekkers, L. Del Buono, B. Delaney, H.-P. Dembinski, J. Deng, V. Denysenko, O. Deschamps, F. Dettori, B. Dey, P. Di Nezza, I. Diachkov, S. Didenko, S. Ding, L. Dittmann, V. Dobishuk, A. D. Docheva, C. Dong, A. M. Donohoe, F. Dordei, A. C. dos Reis, A. D. Dowling, W. Duan, P. Duda, M. W. Dudek, L. Dufour, V. Duk, P. Durante, M. M. Duras, J. M. Durham, O. D. Durmus, A. Dziurda, A. Dzyuba, S. Easo, E. Eckstein, U. Egede, A. Egorychev, V. Egorychev, S. Eisenhardt, E. Ejopu, L. Eklund, M. Elashri, J. Ellbracht, S. Ely, A. Ene, J. Eschle, S. Esen, T. Evans, F. Fabiano, S. Faghih, L. N. Falcao, Y. Fan, B. Fang, L. Fantini, M. Faria, K. Farmer, D. Fazzini, L. Felkowski, M. Feng, M. Feo, A. Fernandez Casani, M. Fernandez Gomez, A. D. Fernez, F. Ferrari, F. Ferreira Rodrigues, M. Ferrillo, M. Ferro-Luzzi, S. Filippov, R. A. Fini, M. Fiorini, M. Firlej, K. L. Fischer, D. S. Fitzgerald, C. Fitzpatrick, T. Fiutowski, F. Fleuret, M. Fontana, L. F. Foreman, R. Forty, D. Foulds-Holt, V. Franco Lima, M. Franco Sevilla, M. Frank, E. Franzoso, G. Frau, C. Frei, D. A. Friday, J. Fu, Q. Führing, Y. Fujii, T. Fulghesu, E. Gabriel, G. Galati, M. D. Galati, A. Gallas Torreira, D. Galli, S. Gambetta, M. Gandelman, P. Gandini, B. Ganie, H. Gao, R. Gao, T. Q. Gao, Y. Gao, Y. Gao, L. M. Garcia Martin, P. Garcia Moreno, J. Garca Pardiñas, P. Gardner, K. G. Garg, L. Garrido, C. Gaspar, A. Gavrikov, L. L. Gerken, E. Gersabeck, M. Gersabeck, T. Gershon, S. Ghizzo, Z. Ghorbanimoghaddam, L. Giambastiani, F. I. Giasemis, V. Gibson, H. K. Giemza, A. L. Gilman, M. Giovannetti, A. Gioventù, L. Girardey, C. Giugliano, M. A. Giza, F. C. Glaser, V. V. Gligorov, C. Göbel, L. Golinka-Bezshyyko, E. Golobardes, D. Golubkov, A. Golutvin, S. Gomez Fernandez, W. Gomulka, F. Goncalves Abrantes, M. Goncerz, G. Gong, J. A. Gooding, I. V. Gorelov, C. Gotti, E. Govorkova, J. P. Grabowski, L. A. Granado Cardoso, E. Graugés, E. Graverini, L. Grazette, G. Graziani, A. T. Grecu, L. M. Greeven, N. A. Grieser, L. Grillo, S. Gromov, C. Gu, M. Guarise, L. Guerry, V. Guliaeva, P. A. Günther, A.-K. Guseinov, E. Gushchin, Y. Guz, T. Gys, K. Habermann, T. Hadavizadeh, C. Hadjivasiliou, G. Haefeli, C. Haen, G. Hallett, M. M. Halvorsen, P. M. Hamilton, J. Hammerich, Q. Han, X. Han, S. Hansmann-Menzemer, L. Hao, N. Harnew, T. H. Harris, M. Hartmann, S. Hashmi, J. He, F. Hemmer, C. Henderson, R. D. L. Henderson, A. M. Hennequin, K. Hennessy, L. Henry, J. Herd, P. Herrero Gascon, J. Heuel, A. Hicheur, G. Hijano Mendizabal, J. Horswill, R. Hou, Y. Hou, N. Howarth, J. Hu, W. Hu, X. Hu, W. Huang, W. Hulsbergen, R. J. Hunter, M. Hushchyn, D. Hutchcroft, M. Idzik, D. Ilin, P. Ilten, A. Inglessi, A. Iniukhin, A. Ishteev, K. Ivshin, R. Jacobsson, H. Jage, S. J. Jaimes Elles, S. Jakobsen, E. Jans, B. K. Jashal, A. Jawahery, V. Jevtic, E. Jiang, X. Jiang, Y. Jiang, Y. J. Jiang, M. John, A. John Rubesh Rajan, D. Johnson, C. R. Jones, T. P. Jones, S. Joshi, B. Jost, J. Juan Castella, N. Jurik, I. Juszczak, D. Kaminaris, S. Kandybei, M. Kane, Y. Kang, C. Kar, M. Karacson, D. Karpenkov, A. Kauniskangas, J. W. Kautz, M. K. Kazanecki, F. Keizer, M. Kenzie, T. Ketel, B. Khanji, A. Kharisova, S. Kholodenko, G. Khreich, T. Kirn, V. S. Kirsebom, O. Kitouni, S. Klaver, N. Kleijne, K. Klimaszewski, M. R. Kmiec, S. Koliiev, L. Kolk, A. Konoplyannikov, P. Kopciewicz, P. Koppenburg, A. Korchin, M. Korolev, I. Kostiuk, O. Kot, S. Kotriakhova, A. Kozachuk, P. Kravchenko, L. Kravchuk, M. Kreps, P. Krokovny, W. Krupa, W. Krzemien, O. Kshyvanskyi, S. Kubis, M. Kucharczyk, V. Kudryavtsev, E. Kulikova, A. Kupsc, B. K. Kutsenko, I. Kyryllin, D. Lacarrere, P. Laguarta Gonzalez, A. Lai, A. Lampis, D. Lancierini, C. Landesa Gomez, J. J. Lane, R. Lane, G. Lanfranchi, C. Langenbruch, J. Langer, O. Lantwin, T. Latham, F. Lazzari, C. Lazzeroni, R. Le Gac, H. Lee, R. Lefèvre, A. Leflat, S. Legotin, M. Lehuraux, E. Lemos Cid, O. Leroy, T. Lesiak, E. D. Lesser, B. Leverington, A. Li, C. Li, C. Li, H. Li, J. Li, K. Li, L. Li, M. Li, P. Li, P.-R. Li, Q. Li, S. Li, T. Li, T. Li, Y. Li, Y. Li, Z. Lian, X. Liang, S. Libralon, C. Lin, T. Lin, R. Lindner, H. Linton, V. Lisovskyi, R. Litvinov, D. Liu, F. L. Liu, G. Liu, K. Liu, S. Liu, W. Liu, Y. Liu, Y. Liu, Y. L. Liu, G. Loachamin Ordonez, A. Lobo Salvia, A. Loi, T. Long, J. H. Lopes, A. Lopez Huertas, S. López Soliño, Q. Lu, C. Lucarelli, D. Lucchesi, M. Lucio Martinez, V. Lukashenko, Y. Luo, A. Lupato, E. Luppi, K. Lynch, X.-R. Lyu, G. M. Ma, S. Maccolini, F. Machefert, F. Maciuc, B. Mack, I. Mackay, L. M. Mackey, L. R. Madhan Mohan, M. J. Madurai, A. Maevskiy, D. Magdalinski, D. Maisuzenko, J. J. Malczewski, S. Malde, L. Malentacca, A. Malinin, T. Maltsev, G. Manca, G. Mancinelli, C. Mancuso, R. Manera Escalero, F. M. Manganella, D. Manuzzi, D. Marangotto, J. F. Marchand, R. Marchevski, U. Marconi, E. Mariani, S. Mariani, C. Marin Benito, J. Marks, A. M. Marshall, L. Martel, G. Martelli, G. Martellotti, L. Martinazzoli, M. Martinelli, D. Martinez Gomez, D. Martinez Santos, F. Martinez Vidal, A. Martorell i Granollers, A. Massafferri, R. Matev, A. Mathad, V. Matiunin, C. Matteuzzi, K. R. Mattioli, A. Mauri, E. Maurice, J. Mauricio, P. Mayencourt, J. Mazorra de Cos, M. Mazurek, M. McCann, T. H. McGrath, N. T. McHugh, A. McNab, R. McNulty, B. Meadows, G. Meier, D. Melnychuk, F. M. Meng, M. Merk, A. Merli, L. Meyer Garcia, D. Miao, H. Miao, M. Mikhasenko, D. A. Milanes, A. Minotti, E. Minucci, T. Miralles, B. Mitreska, D. S. Mitzel, A. Modak, L. Moeser, R. A. Mohammed, R. D. Moise, E. F. Molina Cardenas, T. Mombächer, M. Monk, S. Monteil, A. Morcillo Gomez, G. Morello, M. J. Morello, M. P. Morgenthaler, J. Moron, W. Morren, A. B. Morris, A. G. Morris, R. Mountain, H. Mu, Z. M. Mu, E. Muhammad, F. Muheim, M. Mulder, K. Müller, F. Muñoz-Rojas, R. Murta, V. Mytrochenko, P. Naik, T. Nakada, R. Nandakumar, T. Nanut, I. Nasteva, M. Needham, E. Nekrasova, N. Neri, S. Neubert, N. Neufeld, P. Neustroev, J. Nicolini, D. Nicotra, E. M. Niel, N. Nikitin, Q. Niu, P. Nogarolli, P. Nogga, C. Normand, J. Novoa Fernandez, G. Nowak, C. Nunez, H. N. Nur, A. Oblakowska-Mucha, V. Obraztsov, T. Oeser, S. Okamura, A. Okhotnikov, O. Okhrimenko, R. Oldeman, F. Oliva, M. Olocco, C. J. G. Onderwater, R. H. O’Neil, D. Osthues, J. M. Otalora Goicochea, P. Owen, A. Oyanguren, O. Ozcelik, F. Paciolla, A. Padee, K. O. Padeken, B. Pagare, T. Pajero, A. Palano, M. Palutan, X. Pan, G. Panshin, L. Paolucci, A. Papanestis, M. Pappagallo, L. L. Pappalardo, C. Pappenheimer, C. Parkes, D. Parmar, B. Passalacqua, G. Passaleva, D. Passaro, A. Pastore, M. Patel, J. Patoc, C. Patrignani, A. Paul, C. J. Pawley, A. Pellegrino, J. Peng, M. Pepe Altarelli, S. Perazzini, D. Pereima, H. Pereira Da Costa, A. Pereiro Castro, P. Perret, A. Perrevoort, A. Perro, M. J. Peters, K. Petridis, A. Petrolini, J. P. Pfaller, H. Pham, L. Pica, M. Piccini, L. Piccolo, B. Pietrzyk, G. Pietrzyk, R. N. Pilato, D. Pinci, F. Pisani, M. Pizzichemi, V. Placinta, M. Plo Casasus, T. Poeschl, F. Polci, M. Poli Lener, A. Poluektov, N. Polukhina, I. Polyakov, E. Polycarpo, S. Ponce, D. Popov, S. Poslavskii, K. Prasanth, C. Prouve, D. Provenzano, V. Pugatch, G. Punzi, S. Qasim, Q. Q. Qian, W. Qian, N. Qin, S. Qu, R. Quagliani, R. I. Rabadan Trejo, J. H. Rademacker, M. Rama, M. Ramírez García, V. Ramos De Oliveira, M. Ramos Pernas, M. S. Rangel, F. Ratnikov, G. Raven, M. Rebollo De Miguel, F. Redi, J. Reich, F. Reiss, Z. Ren, P. K. Resmi, M. Ribalda Galvez, R. Ribatti, G. R. Ricart, D. Riccardi, S. Ricciardi, K. Richardson, M. Richardson-Slipper, K. Rinnert, P. Robbe, G. Robertson, E. Rodrigues, A. Rodriguez Alvarez, E. Rodriguez Fernandez, J. A. Rodriguez Lopez, E. Rodriguez Rodriguez, J. Roensch, A. Rogachev, A. Rogovskiy, D. L. Rolf, P. Roloff, V. Romanovskiy, A. Romero Vidal, G. Romolini, F. Ronchetti, T. Rong, M. Rotondo, S. R. Roy, M. S. Rudolph, M. Ruiz Diaz, R. A. Ruiz Fernandez, J. Ruiz Vidal, J. Ryzka, J. J. Saavedra-Arias, J. J. Saborido Silva, R. Sadek, N. Sagidova, D. Sahoo, N. Sahoo, B. Saitta, M. Salomoni, I. Sanderswood, R. Santacesaria, C. Santamarina Rios, M. Santimaria, L. Santoro, E. Santovetti, A. Saputi, D. Saranin, A. Sarnatskiy, G. Sarpis, M. Sarpis, C. Satriano, A. Satta, M. Saur, D. Savrina, H. Sazak, F. Sborzacchi, A. Scarabotto, S. Schael, S. Scherl, M. Schiller, H. Schindler, M. Schmelling, B. Schmidt, S. Schmitt, H. Schmitz, O. Schneider, A. Schopper, N. Schulte, S. Schulte, M. H. Schune, G. Schwering, B. Sciascia, A. Sciuccati, I. Segal, S. Sellam, A. Semennikov, T. Senger, M. Senghi Soares, A. Sergi, N. Serra, L. Sestini, A. Seuthe, Y. Shang, D. M. Shangase, M. Shapkin, R. S. Sharma, I. Shchemerov, L. Shchutska, T. Shears, L. Shekhtman, Z. Shen, S. Sheng, V. Shevchenko, B. Shi, Q. Shi, Y. Shimizu, E. Shmanin, R. Shorkin, J. D. Shupperd, R. Silva Coutinho, G. Simi, S. Simone, M. Singha, N. Skidmore, T. Skwarnicki, M. W. Slater, E. Smith, K. Smith, M. Smith, A. Snoch, L. Soares Lavra, M. D. Sokoloff, F. J. P. Soler, A. Solomin, A. Solovev, I. Solovyev, N. S. Sommerfeld, R. Song, Y. Song, Y. Song, Y. S. Song, F. L. Souza De Almeida, B. Souza De Paula, E. Spadaro Norella, E. Spedicato, J. G. Speer, E. Spiridenkov, P. Spradlin, V. Sriskaran, F. Stagni, M. Stahl, S. Stahl, S. Stanislaus, M. Stefaniak, E. N. Stein, O. Steinkamp, O. Stenyakin, H. Stevens, D. Strekalina, Y. Su, F. Suljik, J. Sun, L. Sun, D. Sundfeld, W. Sutcliffe, K. Swientek, F. Swystun, A. Szabelski, T. Szumlak, Y. Tan, Y. Tang, M. D. Tat, A. Terentev, F. Terzuoli, F. Teubert, E. Thomas, D. J. D. Thompson, H. Tilquin, V. Tisserand, S. T’Jampens, M. Tobin, L. Tomassetti, G. Tonani, X. Tong, T. Tork, D. Torres Machado, L. Toscano, D. Y. Tou, C. Trippl, G. Tuci, N. Tuning, L. H. Uecker, A. Ukleja, D. J. Unverzagt, A. Upadhyay, B. Urbach, A. Usachov, A. Ustyuzhanin, U. Uwer, V. Vagnoni, V. Valcarce Cadenas, G. Valenti, N. Valls Canudas, J. van Eldik, H. Van Hecke, E. van Herwijnen, C. B. Van Hulse, R. Van Laak, M. van Veghel, G. Vasquez, R. Vazquez Gomez, P. Vazquez Regueiro, C. Vázquez Sierra, S. Vecchi, J. J. Velthuis, M. Veltri, A. Venkateswaran, M. Verdoglia, M. Vesterinen, D. Vico Benet, P. Vidrier Villalba, M. Vieites Diaz, X. Vilasis-Cardona, E. Vilella Figueras, A. Villa, P. Vincent, B. Vivacqua, F. C. Volle, D. vom Bruch, N. Voropaev, K. Vos, C. Vrahas, J. Wagner, J. Walsh, E. J. Walton, G. Wan, A. Wang, C. Wang, G. Wang, H. Wang, J. Wang, J. Wang, J. Wang, J. Wang, M. Wang, N. W. Wang, R. Wang, X. Wang, X. Wang, X. W. Wang, Y. Wang, Y. W. Wang, Z. Wang, Z. Wang, Z. Wang, J. A. Ward, M. Waterlaat, N. K. Watson, D. Websdale, Y. Wei, J. Wendel, B. D. C. Westhenry, C. White, M. Whitehead, E. Whiter, A. R. Wiederhold, D. Wiedner, G. Wilkinson, M. K. Wilkinson, M. Williams, M. J. Williams, M. R. J. Williams, R. Williams, Z. Williams, F. F. Wilson, M. Winn, W. Wislicki, M. Witek, L. Witola, G. Wormser, S. A. Wotton, H. Wu, J. Wu, X. Wu, Y. Wu, Z. Wu, K. Wyllie, S. Xian, Z. Xiang, Y. Xie, T. X. Xing, A. Xu, L. Xu, M. Xu, Z. Xu, Z. Xu, Z. Xu, K. Yang, S. Yang, X. Yang, Y. Yang, Z. Yang, V. Yeroshenko, H. Yeung, H. Yin, X. Yin, C. Y. Yu, J. Yu, X. Yuan, Y. Yuan, E. Zaffaroni, M. Zavertyaev, M. Zdybal, F. Zenesini, C. Zeng, M. Zeng, C. Zhang, D. Zhang, J. Zhang, L. Zhang, S. Zhang, S. Zhang, Y. Zhang, Y. Z. Zhang, Z. Zhang, Y. Zhao, A. Zhelezov, S. Z. Zheng, X. Z. Zheng, Y. Zheng, T. Zhou, X. Zhou, Y. Zhou, V. Zhovkovska, L. Z. Zhu, X. Zhu, X. Zhu, V. Zhukov, J. Zhuo, Q. Zou, D. Zuliani, G. Zunica
The Standard Model of particle physics–the theory of particles and interactions at the smallest scale–predicts that matter and antimatter interact differently due to violation of the combined symmetry of charge conjugation (C) and parity (P). Charge conjugation transforms particles into their antimatter particles, whereas the parity transformation inverts spatial coordinates. This prediction applies to both mesons, which consist of a quark and an antiquark, and baryons, which are composed of three quarks. However, despite having been discovered in various meson decays, CP violation has yet to be observed in baryons, the type of matter that makes up the observable Universe. Here we report a study of the decay of the beauty baryon ({\varLambda }{0}^{b}) to the pK-π+π- final state, which proceeds through b → u or b → s quark-level transitions, and its CP-conjugated process, using data collected by the Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment1 at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The results reveal significant asymmetries between the decay rates of the ({\varLambda }{0}^{b}) baryon and its CP-conjugated antibaryon, providing, to our knowledge, the first observation of CP violation in baryon decays and demonstrating the different behaviours of baryons and antibaryons. In the Standard Model, CP violation arises from the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mechanism2, and new forces or particles beyond the Standard Model could provide further contributions. This discovery opens a new path in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.
Experimental particle physics, Phenomenology
Global terrestrial nitrogen fixation and its modification by agriculture
Original Paper | Element cycles | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Carla R. Reis Ely, Steven S. Perakis, Cory C. Cleveland, Duncan N. L. Menge, Sasha C. Reed, Benton N. Taylor, Sarah A. Batterman, Christopher M. Clark, Timothy E. Crews, Katherine A. Dynarski, Maga Gei, Michael J. Gundale, David F. Herridge, Sarah E. Jovan, Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Mark B. Peoples, Johannes Piipponen, Emilio Rodríguez-Caballero, Verity G. Salmon, Fiona M. Soper, Anika P. Staccone, Bettina Weber, Christopher A. Williams, Nina Wurzburger
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the largest natural source of new nitrogen (N) that supports terrestrial productivity1,2, yet estimates of global terrestrial BNF remain highly uncertain3,4. Here we show that this uncertainty is partly because of sampling bias, as field BNF measurements in natural terrestrial ecosystems occur where N fixers are 17 times more prevalent than their mean abundances worldwide. To correct this bias, we develop new estimates of global terrestrial BNF by upscaling field BNF measurements using spatially explicit abundances of all major biogeochemical N-fixing niches. We find that natural biomes sustain lower BNF, 65 (52-77) Tg N yr-1, than previous empirical bottom-up estimates3,4, with most BNF occurring in tropical forests and drylands. We also find high agricultural BNF in croplands and cultivated pastures, 56 (54-58) Tg N yr-1. Agricultural BNF has increased terrestrial BNF by 64% and total terrestrial N inputs from all sources by 60% over pre-industrial levels. Our results indicate that BNF may impose stronger constraints on the carbon sink in natural terrestrial biomes and represent a larger source of agricultural N than is generally considered in analyses of the global N cycle5,6, with implications for proposed safe operating limits for N use7,8.
Element cycles
Prophages block cell surface receptors to preserve their viral progeny
Original Paper | Bacteriophages | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Véronique L. Taylor, Pramalkumar H. Patel, Megha Shah, Ahmed Yusuf, Cayla M. Burk, Kristina M. Sztanko, Zemer Gitai, Alan R. Davidson, Matthias D. Koch, Karen L. Maxwell
In microbial communities, viruses compete for host cells and have evolved diverse mechanisms to inhibit competitors. One strategy is superinfection exclusion, whereby an established viral infection prevents a secondary infection of the same cell1. This phenomenon has been shown to have an important role in the spread of eukaryotic viruses. Here we determine that superinfection exclusion proteins in bacterial viruses (bacteriophages, hereafter phages) perform a similar role, promoting viral spread through the bacterial community. We characterize a phage protein that alters the dynamics of a common phage receptor, the type IV pilus. This protein, known as Zip, does not abrogate pilus activity, but fine-tunes it, providing a strong phage defence without a fitness cost. Notably, Zip also prevents internalization and destruction of newly released phage progeny, a phenomenon that we call the anti-Kronos effect after the Greek god who consumed his offspring. Zip activity promotes the accumulation of free phages in bacterial lysogen communities, thereby enhancing viral spread. We further demonstrate that the anti-Kronos effect is conserved across diverse prophage-encoded superinfection exclusion systems. Our results identify the mechanistic basis of a superinfection exclusion system that safeguards phage progeny and provide insights into the conservation of viral defence mechanisms among bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
Bacteriophages, Phage biology
Nature Materials
Beneficial redox activity of halide solid electrolytes empowering high-performance anodes in all-solid-state batteries
Original Paper | Batteries | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Zhu Cheng, Wenxuan Zhao, Qidi Wang, Chenglong Zhao, Anastasia K. Lavrinenko, Alexandros Vasileiadis, Victor Landgraf, Lars Bannenberg, Yuhang Li, Junwei Liang, Ming Liu, Swapna Ganapathy, Marnix Wagemaker
All-solid-state batteries receive ample attention due to their promising safety characteristics and energy density. The latter holds true if they are compatible with next-generation high-capacity anodes, but most highly ion-conductive solid electrolytes decompose at low operating potentials, leading to lithium loss and increased cell resistances. Here the dynamic stability of solid electrolytes that can improve all-solid-state battery performance is demonstrated. Halide electrolytes Li3YCl3Br3 and Li2ZrCl6, considered unstable at low potentials, are found to exhibit structurally reversible redox activity beyond their electrochemical stability windows, increasing compatibility with anodes and contributing to capacity without compromising ionic conductivity. The benefit of this dynamic stability window is demonstrated with cost-effective red phosphorus anodes, resulting in high reversible capacities (2,308 mAh g-1), high rate capacity retention (1,024 mAh g-1 at 7.75 mA cm-2) and extended cycle life (61% retention after 1,780 cycles). Furthermore, high areal capacity (7.65 mAh cm-2) and stability (70% retention after 1,000 cycles) are achieved for halide-based full cells with red phosphorous anodes. The beneficial redox activity of halide electrolytes greatly expands their application scenarios and suggests valuable battery design principles to enhance performance.
Batteries
Harvesting singlet and triplet excitation energies in covalent organic frameworks for highly efficient photocatalysis
Original Paper | Electronic materials | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Ruoyang Liu, Dan Zhao, Sailun Ji, Haipei Shao, Yongzhi Chen, Minjun Feng, Tie Wang, Juan Li, Ming Lin, Tze Chien Sum, Ning Yan, Shu Seki, Donglin Jiang
Photocatalysis has traditionally been constrained by selective utilization of either singlet or triplet excited states, limiting efficiency and reaction scope. Achieving simultaneous optimization of both states has remained a challenge. Here we introduce donor-acceptor covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that integrate a dual-state activation strategy. The COFs feature segregated columnar π-arrays, aligned micropores and short donor-acceptor distances. Upon photoexcitation, electron transfer occurs at acceptor units, while energy transfer occurs at donor sites. The porous network also ensures efficient substrate transport to catalytic centres, while intra- and interlayer hydrogen bonding stabilizes excited states, further enhancing photostability and reactivity. This dual-state strategy provides a benchmark for photocatalytic organic transformations, including high turnover frequencies under red-light irradiation, broad-spectrum absorption extending into the near-infrared and operation without metals, co-catalysts or sacrificial donors. By integrating photophysical and structural optimizations, our approach establishes a design strategy that overcomes limitations in solar-driven chemical transformations and broadens the scope of COF-based photocatalysis.
Electronic materials, Photocatalysis, Porous materials, Two-dimensional materials
Nature Reviews Physics
Data challenges and prospects of high-resolution spectroscopy of exoplanets
Review Paper | Atomic and molecular interactions with photons | 2025-07-15 20:00 EDT
Sergei N. Yurchenko, Jonathan Tennyson, Matteo Brogi
Understanding the atmospheres of exoplanets is crucial for unravelling their formation, evolution and potential habitability. High-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy (HRCCS) has emerged as a powerful tool for probing exoplanetary atmospheres, enabling the detection of molecular species and the characterization of atmospheric dynamics. However, the reliability of these detections depends critically on the accuracy of laboratory spectroscopic data, particularly precise line positions and the careful statistical treatment of observational data. This Technical Review explores the interplay between laboratory data and high-resolution exoplanet spectroscopy, emphasizing the growing shift from isolated molecular detections to comprehensive whole-atmosphere characterization. We discuss the specific challenges of producing high-quality laboratory data and outline the needs of the exoplanetary community in this context. Key topics include the reliability of HRCCS detections, typical jargon of HRCCS and the ethical considerations in data attribution. By bridging the perspectives of laboratory spectroscopy, quantum chemistry and observational astronomy, we provide recommendations for advancing the field towards a more robust and self-consistent framework for exoplanetary atmospheric studies.
Atomic and molecular interactions with photons, Exoplanets
Physical Review Letters
Essay: Using Machine Learning for Antibiotic Discovery
Essay | Biochemistry | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez and James J. Collins
In this new forward-looking PRL Essay, César de la Fuente and James J. Collins explore the ways in which machine learning and artificial intelligence can substantially accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics to keep pace with the ever-evolving landscape of drug-resistant pathogens.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 030001 (2025)
Biochemistry, Biological information processing, Biomolecular & subcellular processes, Epidemiology, prevention & mitigation of disease spreading, Genome organization, Virology & self-assembly, Machine learning
Quantum Correlations Cannot Be Reproduced with a Finite Number of Measurements in Any No-Signaling Theory
Research article | Quantum correlations in quantum information | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Lucas Tendick
We show, for any finite $n\ge 2$, that there exist quantum correlations obtained from performing $n$ dichotomic quantum measurements in a bipartite Bell scenario, which cannot be reproduced by mixtures of measurement devices with at most ($n- 1$) incompatible measurements across different partitions in any no-signaling theory. That is, it requires for any no-signaling theory an unbounded number of measurements to reproduce the predictions of quantum theory. We prove our results by showing that there exist linear Bell inequalities that have to be obeyed by any no-signaling theory involving only ($n- 1$)-wise incompatible measurements and show explicitly how these can be violated in quantum theory. Finally, we discuss the relation of our work to previous works ruling out alternatives to quantum theory with some kind of bounded degree of freedom and consider the experimental verifiability of our results.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 030201 (2025)
Quantum correlations in quantum information, Quantum foundations, Quantum information theory, Quantum measurements
Failure of the Conformal-Map Method for Relativistic Quantum Billiards
Research article | Quantum chaos | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Barbara Dietz
In H. Xu et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 064102 (2013)], a numerical method is introduced—an extension of the conformal-map method of Robnik [J. Phys. A 17, 1049 (1984)] for nonrelativistic quantum billiards—for the quantization of relativistic neutrino billiards consisting of a massless noninteracting spin-$1/2$ particle confined to a two-dimensional domain. We demonstrate in this Letter that this method does not provide solutions of the associated Weyl (Dirac) equation, nor does it fulfill the boundary conditions imposed on the spinor eigenfunctions to ensure confinement of the particle to the domain of the billiard. We review in detail the wave equation, boundary conditions, and quantization of neutrino billiards and derivation of relevant equations to make the proof comprehensible for the general reader. Our results are corroborated with numerical ones for nonrelativistic and relativistic quantum billiards whose shapes depend on a parameter, which allows the study of the properties of their eigenstates as the classical dynamics experiences a transition from regular to chaotic dynamics.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 030401 (2025)
Quantum chaos
Beating the Natural Grover Bound for Low-Energy Estimation and State Preparation
Quantum algorithms & computation | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Harry Buhrman, Sevag Gharibian, Zeph Landau, François Le Gall, Norbert Schuch, and Suguru Tamaki
Estimating ground state energies of many-body Hamiltonians is a central task in many areas of quantum physics. In this Letter, we give quantum algorithms which, given any $k$-body Hamiltonian $H$, compute an estimate for the ground state energy and prepare a quantum state achieving said energy, respectively. Specifically, for any $\epsilon>0$, our algorithms return, with high probability, an estimate of the ground state energy of $H$ within additive error $\epsilonM$, or a quantum state with the corresponding energy. Here, $M$ is the total strength of all interaction terms, which in general is extensive in the system size. Our approach makes no assumptions about the geometry or spatial locality of interaction terms of the input Hamiltonian and thus handles even long-range or all-to-all interactions, such as in quantum chemistry, where lattice-based techniques break down. In this fully general setting, the run-time of our algorithms scales as ${2}^{cn/2}$ for $c<1$, yielding the first quantum algorithms for low-energy estimation breaking a standard square root Grover speedup for unstructured search. The core of our approach is remarkably simple, and relies on showing that an extensive fraction of the interactions can be neglected with a controlled error. What this ultimately implies is that even arbitrary $k$-local Hamiltonians have structure in their low energy space, in the form of an exponential-dimensional low energy subspace.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 030601 (2025)
Quantum algorithms & computation, Quantum simulation
Complete Self-Testing of a System of Remote Superconducting Qubits
Research article | Quantum benchmarking | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Simon Storz, Anatoly Kulikov, Josua D. Schär, Victor Barizien, Xavier Valcarce, Florence Berterottière, Nicolas Sangouard, Jean-Daniel Bancal, and Andreas Wallraff
Self-testing protocols enable the certification of quantum systems in a device-independent manner, i.e., without knowledge of the inner workings of the quantum devices under test. Here, we demonstrate this high standard for characterization routines with superconducting circuits, a prime platform for building large-scale quantum computing systems. We first develop the missing theory allowing for the self-testing of Pauli measurements. We then self-test Bell pair generation and measurements at the same time, performing a complete self-test in a system composed of two entangled superconducting circuits operated at a separation of 30 m. In an experiment based on 17 million trials, we measure an average CHSH (Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt) $S$ value of 2.236. Without relying on additional assumptions on the experimental setup, we certify an average Bell state fidelity of at least 58.9% and an average measurement fidelity of at least 89.5% in a device-independent manner, both with 99% confidence. This enables applications in the field of distributed quantum computing and communication with superconducting circuits, such as delegated quantum computing.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 030801 (2025)
Quantum benchmarking, Quantum communication, Quantum information processing, Quantum information theory, Quantum interconnects, Quantum networks, Superconducting qubits
Search for Extremely-High-Energy Neutrinos and First Constraints on the Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic-Ray Proton Fraction with IceCube
Research article | Cosmic ray composition & spectra | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
R. Abbasi et al. (IceCube Collaboration)
*et al.*Failing to see any high-energy neutrinos allowed researchers to calculate an upper limit on the fraction of high-energy cosmic rays that are protons.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 031001 (2025)
Cosmic ray composition & spectra, Cosmic rays & astroparticles, Particle astrophysics, Neutrinos
Unstable Chords and Destructive Resonant Excitation of Black Hole Quasinormal Modes
Research article | Classical black holes | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Naritaka Oshita, Emanuele Berti, and Vitor Cardoso
The quasinormal mode spectrum of black holes is unstable against small modifications of the radial potential describing massless perturbations. We study how these small modifications affect the convergence of the quasinormal mode expansion and the mode excitation by computing the mode amplitudes from first principles, without relying on any fitting procedure. We show that the decomposition of the prompt ringdown waveform is not unique: small modifications in the radial potential produce new quasinormal mode ‘’basis sets’’ that can improve the convergence of the quasinormal mode expansion, even capturing the late-time tail. We also study avoided crossings and exceptional points of the Kerr and Kerr–de Sitter spectrum. We show that while the mode amplitude can be resonantly excited, modes that exhibit avoided crossing destructively interfere with each other, so that the prompt ringdown waveform remains stable.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 031401 (2025)
Classical black holes, General relativity, Gravitation, Gravitational waves
Cosmic Censorship in a Dual Collider
Research article | Classical black holes | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Marc Aragonès Fontboté, David Mateos, Guillem Pérez Martín, Wilke van der Schee, and Javier G. Subils
We investigate cosmic censorship in anti–de Sitter space in holographic models in which the ground state is described by a good singularity. These include supersymmetric truncations of string/M theory, for which a positive-energy theorem holds. At the boundary, our solutions describe a boost-invariant fluid in which the temperature decreases monotonically with time. On the gravity side, they correspond to black-brane spacetimes with a receding horizon. In classical gravity, curvature invariants at the horizon grow without bound. In the full theory this regime may or may not be reached. In some cases it is avoided by a phase transition to a regular geometry. In others it is reached but the boundary hydrodynamic evolution can be continued, provided the equation of state at parametrically small energies is known. Both cases require the inclusion of finite-$N$ or finite-coupling effects.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 031501 (2025)
Classical black holes, Fluid-gravity correspondence, Gauge-gravity dualities, Gravity in dimensions other than four, Singularities In general relativity
Complete Function Space for Planar Two-Loop Six-Particle Scattering Amplitudes
Research article | Feynman diagrams | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Johannes Henn, Antonela Matijašić, Julian Miczajka, Tiziano Peraro, Yingxuan Xu, and Yang Zhang
We derive the full system of canonical differential equations for all planar two-loop massless six-particle master integrals and determine analytically the boundary conditions. This fully specifies the solutions, which may be written as Chen iterated integrals. We argue that this is sufficient information for evaluating any scattering amplitude in four dimensions up to the finite part. We support this claim by reducing, for the most complicated integral topologies, integrals with typical Yang-Mills numerators. We use the analytic solutions to the differential equations, together with dihedral symmetry, to provide the full solution space relevant for two-loop six-particle computations. This includes the relevant function alphabet, as well as the independent set of iterated integrals up to weight four. We also provide the answer for all master integrals in terms of iterated integrals that can be readily evaluated numerically. As a proof of concept, we provide a numerical implementation that evaluates the integrals in part of the Euclidean region and validate this against numerical evaluation of the Feynman integrals. Our result removes the bottleneck of the Feynman integral evaluation, paving the way for future analytic evaluations of six-particle scattering amplitudes.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 031601 (2025)
Feynman diagrams, Quantum chromodynamics, Quantum field theory, Scattering amplitudes, Supersymmetric field theories
Dynamic Interference of Chirped Photoelectrons
Research article | Light-matter interaction | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Federico Vismarra et al.
Dynamic interference is an elusive strong-field effect where photoelectrons from intense laser pulses interfere in time, forming rich kinetic energy patterns. Here, we present the first experimental demonstration of isolated dynamic interference using a novel two-color scheme: chirped laser-assisted dynamic interference. Isolation was achieved with a crossed-polarization setup combining an extreme ultraviolet harmonic field and an infrared pulse with tailored spectrotemporal properties. Beyond prior works, our approach enables precise control over interfering trajectories, yielding holographic interference patterns and advancing our understanding of strong-field phenomena.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 033202 (2025)
Light-matter interaction, Photoemission, Strong electromagnetic field effects, Ultrafast phenomena
Electron Diffraction Imaging of Carbon Monoxide via $K$-Shell Ionization by Compton Scattering of 20 keV Photons
Research article | Atomic & molecular structure | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
D. M. Haubenreißer, N. M. Novikovskiy, N. Melzer, M. Kircher, A. Pier, L. Kaiser, J. Kruse, N. Anders, J. Stindl, L. Sommerlad, O. D. McGinnis, M. Schmidt, L. Nowak, A. Kügler, I. Dwojak, J. Drnec, F. Trinter, M. S. Schöffler, L. Ph. H. Schmidt, T. Jahnke, R. Dörner, and Ph. V. Demekhin
We report theoretical momentum distributions of electrons ejected from the C and O $K$ shells of fixed-in-space CO molecules by Compton scattering of 20 keV photons for different magnitudes and orientations of the photon momentum transfer with respect to the molecular axis. We observe distinct diffraction patterns in our computed momentum distributions, which are governed by the interference of the direct Compton electrons and those which are scattered on the parent and neighboring nuclei. The observed phenomenon is similar to that employed in diffraction imaging using high-energy photoelectrons. It persists after integration over different magnitudes and the orientation of the photon momentum transfer in the molecular frame of reference. A corresponding coincidence experiment confirms our theoretical predictions.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 033203 (2025)
Atomic & molecular structure, Compton scattering, Light-matter interaction, Single- and few-photon ionization & excitation, Photoelectron diffraction
Quantum Interfaces with Multilayered Superwavelength Atomic Arrays
Research article | Collective effects in quantum optics | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Roni Ben-Maimon, Yakov Solomons, Nir Davidson, Ofer Firstenberg, and Ephraim Shahmoon
We consider quantum light-matter interfaces comprised of multiple layers of two-dimensional tweezer atomic arrays, wherein the lattice spacings exceed the wavelength of light. While the coupling of light to a single layer of such a ‘’superwavelength’’ lattice is considerably reduced due to scattering losses to high diffraction orders, we show that the addition of layers can suppress these losses through destructive interference between the layers. Mapping the problem to a 1D model of a quantum interface wherein the coupling efficiency is characterized by a reflectivity, we analyze the latter by developing a geometrical optics formulation, accounting for realistic finite-size arrays. We find that optimized efficiency favors small diffraction-order angles and small interlayer separations, and that the coupling inefficiency for two layers universally scales as ${N}^{- 1}$ with the atom number per layer $N$. We validate our predictions using direct numerical calculations of the scattering reflectivity and the performance of a quantum memory protocol, demonstrating high atom-photon coupling efficiency. This opens the way for various applications in tweezer atomic-array platforms.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 033601 (2025)
Collective effects in quantum optics, Light-matter interaction, Quantum information with atoms & light, Quantum memories, Quantum optics
Universal Non-Hermitian Transport in Disordered Systems
Research article | Open quantum systems & decoherence | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Bo Li, Chuan Chen, and Zhong Wang
In disordered Hermitian systems, localization of energy eigenstates prohibits wave propagation. In non-Hermitian systems, however, wave propagation is possible even when the eigenstates of a Hamiltonian are exponentially localized by disorders. We find in this regime that non-Hermitian wave propagation exhibits novel universal scaling behaviors without Hermitian counterpart. Furthermore, our theory demonstrates how the tail of imaginary-part density of states dictates wave propagation in the long-time limit. Specifically, for the three typical classes, namely the Gaussian, the uniform, and the linear imaginary-part density of states, we obtain logarithmically suppressed sub-ballistic transport, and two types of subdiffusion with exponents that depend only on spatial dimensions, respectively. Our work highlights the fundamental differences between Hermitian and non-Hermitian Anderson localization, and uncovers unique universality in non-Hermitian wave propagation.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 033802 (2025)
Open quantum systems & decoherence, PT-symmetric quantum mechanics, Non-Hermitian systems
Extremely Narrow Band in Moir'e Photonic Time Crystal
Research article | Flat bands | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Zhaohui Dong, Xianfeng Chen, and Luqi Yuan
The moir'e superlattice has attracted growing interest in the electromagnetic and optical communities. Here, we extend this concept to time-varying photonic systems by superposing two binary modulations on the refractive index with different modulation periods, i.e., the moir'e photonic time crystal (PTC). Such a moir'e PTC leads to extremely narrow bands in momentum space that support temporal localized modes, exhibiting periodically self-reconstructing pulses in the time domain. We investigate the tunability of the band structure of the moir'e PTC and the temporal localization behavior, which can be greatly manipulated by varying the temporal modulation parameters. Moreover, we explore the Floquet mode-locking mechanism in the moir'e PTC, which points toward potential applications in mode-locked lasers with a tunable time width of the generated pulses. The modulation-induced extremely narrow band also offers intriguing opportunities in exceptional-point-enhanced sensing. Our Letter brings the concept of moir'e patterns to the field of PTCs, and unveils new possibilities in wave manipulations with time-varying systems.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 033803 (2025)
Flat bands, Metamaterials, Photonics, Dynamical systems, Superlattices
First Demonstration of Improved Fusion Yield with Increased Compression through Reduced Adiabat in Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments at the National Ignition Facility
Research article | Indirect drive | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
M. Hohenberger et al.
Recent advancements in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating target gains greater than one, yet future applications necessitate much higher target gains. One approach to achieving improved implosion performance is to pursue increased fuel compression via a lowered implosion adiabat. Experiments have been performed testing a reduced adiabat by introducing small changes to the drive laser pulse shape and the resulting shock timing for an existing implosion design at 1.9 MJ laser drive with near-ignition performance (experiment N210808). Experiments using the updated design demonstrate, for the very first time, increased compression and fusion yield in ICF implosions on the NIF by using a lower fuel adiabat, and increased compression with a reduced adiabat in high-density carbon ablators. Compared to the previously best-performing experiment with a laser energy of 1.9 MJ, these experiments exhibit increases of up to 80% and 14% in nuclear fusion yield and fuel compression, respectively, and with repeatable performance. Further, it is the only implosion design to have achieved a target gain exceeding one with a laser energy of less than 2 MJ. These findings highlight the efficacy of reduced adiabat designs in achieving higher compression and fusion yields, offering a promising pathway for future ICF applications. This Letter not only addresses a long-standing question in ICF but also paves the way for achieving higher target gains with optimized implosion strategies.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 035101 (2025)
Indirect drive, Inertial confinement fusion, Plasma fusion
Twisted Bilayer Materials as a Promising Platform for Solid-State Qubits
Research article | Flat bands | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Zhigang Song, Yidan Wang, Péter Udvarhelyi, and Prineha Narang
Qubits are the fundamental units in quantum computing, quantum communication, and sensing. In current platforms, such as cold atoms, superconducting circuits, point defects, and semiconductor quantum dots, each qubit requires individual preparation, making identical replication a challenging task. Constructing and maintaining stable, scalable qubits remains a formidable challenge. The race to identify the best one remains inconclusive. Our Letter introduces twisted bilayer materials as a promising platform for qubits due to their tunability, natural patterns, and extensive materials library. Our large-scale first-principles calculations reveal that the moir'e superlattices have identical and localized states, akin to the discrete energy levels of an alkali atom. Existing experimental techniques allow for individual initialization, manipulation, and readout. The vast array of 2D materials provides a multitude of potential candidates for qubit exploration. Because of their inherent scalability and uniformity, our proposed qubits present significant advantages over conventional solid-state qubit systems.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036201 (2025)
Flat bands, Quantum information with solid state qubits, Twistronics, Qubits, Twisted heterostructures, Density functional theory
Altermagnetic Phase Transition in a Lieb Metal
Research article | Exotic phases of matter | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Matteo Dürrnagel, Hendrik Hohmann, Atanu Maity, Jannis Seufert, Michael Klett, Lennart Klebl, and Ronny Thomale
We analyze the phase transition between a symmetric metallic parent state and itinerant altermagnetic order. The underlying mechanism we reveal in our microscopic model of electrons on a Lieb lattice does not involve orbital ordering, but derives from sublattice interference.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036502 (2025)
Exotic phases of matter, Fermi surface, Magnetic order, Magnetism, Magnons, Quantum phase transitions
Experimental Observation of $k$-Dependent Bulk-Edge Correspondence in Sonic Semimetals with High Winding Numbers
Research article | Acoustic metamaterials | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Wei Xiong, Tingde Zhang, Zhiwang Zhang, Yuanzhou Zhu, Shuochen Wang, Haixiao Zhang, Ying Cheng, Xiaojun Liu, and Johan Christensen
The bulk-edge correspondence plays a crucial role in topological physics bridging the gap between the bulk topology and the topological edge states, which recently was extended to topological metamaterials having a large number of topological boundary states. In this work, we experimentally observe the $k$-dependent bulk-edge correspondence in the framework of a manmade sonic semimetal, supporting the coexistence of multiple topological phases which are separated by boundaries formed by versatile types of Dirac points. The structure is composed of stacked one-dimensional (1D) extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains through long-range couplings, in which the topological phases are characterized by $k$-dependent winding numbers. Through an elaborately designed methodology for measuring the acoustic pressure amplitude and phase, we not only derive $k$-dependent topological winding numbers but also clearly observe the spatial distribution characteristics of edge states across different phases. Our findings significantly broaden the understanding of these critical topological phases and open up avenues for the manipulation of classical waves.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036602 (2025)
Acoustic metamaterials, Acoustics, Topological phase transition, Topological materials
Bidirectional Asymmetric Frequency Conversion in Nonlinear Phononic Crystals
Research article | Frequency conversion | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Yeongtae Jang, Beomseok Oh, Eunho Kim, and Junsuk Rho
Beyond conservative systems, altering the wave propagation frequency emerges as a crucial factor across diverse physical domains. This Letter presents a demonstration of bidirectional asymmetric frequency conversion—either upward or downward—depending on the excitation direction, surpassing conventional unidirectional mechanisms. We numerically and experimentally demonstrate its practical realization in a model system of cylindrical granular crystals with intrinsic local resonance coupling. This novel wave transport mechanism arises from the interplay of nonlinear contact, spatial asymmetry, and coupled local resonance. In particular, we show that local resonance coupling induces wavenumber-dependent wave dynamics, including frequency conversion. Given that this local resonance exemplifies avoided crossings (i.e., strong coupling), this Letter may inspire studies on nonlinear systems supporting material or structural resonance.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036603 (2025)
Frequency conversion, Phononic crystals, Mechanical metamaterials
Variational Wave-Function Analysis of the Fractional Anomalous Hall Crystal
Research article | Chern insulators | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Tixuan Tan, Julian May-Mann, and Trithep Devakul
We propose fractional anomalous Hall crystals (FAHCs) as possible ground states of strongly interacting electrons in parent bands with Berry curvature. FAHCs are exotic states of matter that spontaneously break continuous translation symmetry to form a fractional Chern insulator. We construct a unified family of variational wave functions that describe FAHCs and their competing states in the presence of uniform parent Berry curvature. We calculate their variational energy with Coulomb interactions semianalytically in the thermodynamic limit. Our analysis reveals that FAHCs can be energetically favorable over both Wigner crystals and integer anomalous Hall crystals for sufficiently strong interactions or flat dispersion.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036604 (2025)
Chern insulators, Fractional quantum Hall effect, Quantum anomalous Hall effect, Wigner crystal
Engineering Altermagnetic States in Two-Dimensional Square Tessellations
Research article | 2-dimensional systems | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Yixuan Che, Haifeng Lv, Xiaojun Wu, and Jinlong Yang
Altermagnetism, an emergent collinear magnetic phase with zero net magnetization and momentum-dependent spin splitting, promises to revolutionize spintronics by leveraging symmetry-driven effects without requiring spin-orbit coupling. Despite its potential, a comprehensive understanding of design principles and spin-splitting mechanisms remains elusive. Here, from a mathematical perspective, we exploit the intrinsic fourfold symmetry and structural versatility of 2D square tessellations to engineer altermagnetic states. By systematically screening the altermagnetic state in all 34 2D square tessellations in the Reticular Chemistry Structure Resource database, we identify the ‘’Lieb’’ (a regular lattice with 4.4.4.4 tessellation), ‘’fes’’ (a semiregular net with 4.8.8 tessellation), and ‘’tts’’ (a semiregular net with 3.3.4.3.4 tessellation) nets as key candidates. A tight-binding Hamiltonian analysis reveals the physical origin of spin splitting across these different tessellated nets. As proof of concept, we demonstrate the pyracylene-based metal-organic framework monolayer $t\text{- }{\mathrm{Cr}}{2}[\mathrm{Pyc}\text{- }{\mathrm{O}}{8}]$, with the tts net, as a robust altermagnet exhibiting a symmetry-compliant ground state. Our Letter provides a symmetry-driven design framework that bridges the mathematical architecture of tessellations with computational materials discovery, enabling reasonable control of altermagnetism in 2D materials.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036701 (2025)
2-dimensional systems, Altermagnets, Organometallic materials, Square lattice, Density functional theory, Discrete symmetries in condensed matter, Materials modeling, Tight-binding model
Electrically Tunable and Enhanced Nonlinearity of Moir'e Exciton Polaritons in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Bilayers
Research article | Exciton polariton | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Kok Wee Song and Oleksandr Kyriienko
We develop a microscopic theory for nonlinear optical response of moir'e exciton polaritons in bilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Our theory allows us to study the tunnel-coupled intralayer and interlayer excitonic modes for a wide range of twist angles ($\theta $), external electric field, and light-matter coupling, providing insights into the hybridization regime inaccessible before. Specifically, we account for the umklapp scattering processes of two exciton polaritons responsible for enhanced nonlinearity, and show that it is crucial for describing interactions at strong hybridization. We reveal a regime of attractive nonlinearity for moir'e polaritons, stemming from the anisotropic Coulomb interactions, which can explain some of experimental features of optical response in TMD bilayers. Furthermore, within our theory we demonstrate that the attractive nonlinearity can be tuned into repulsive by applying an external electric field. Our findings show that nonlinear moir'e polaritons offer a controllable platform nonlinear polaritonic devices.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 036901 (2025)
Exciton polariton, Light-matter interaction, Polaritons, Twistronics, 2-dimensional systems, Bilayer films, Transition metal dichalcogenides, Twisted heterostructures
Information-Optimal Mixing at Low Reynolds Number
Research article | Control theory | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Luca Cocconi, Yihong Shi, and Andrej Vilfan
Mutual information between particle positions before and after mixing provides a universal assumption-free measure of mixing efficiency at low Reynolds number that accounts for the kinematic reversibility of the Stokes equation. For a generic planar shear flow with time-dependent shear rate, we derive a compact expression for the mutual information as a nonlinear functional of the shearing protocol and solve the associated extremization problem exactly to determine the optimal control under both linear and nonlinear constraints, specifically total shear and total dissipation per unit volume. Remarkably, optimal protocols turn out to be universal and time-reversal symmetric in both cases. Our results establish a minimum energetic cost of erasing information in a broad class of nonequilibrium drift-diffusive systems.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 037101 (2025)
Control theory, Information thermodynamics, Mixing enhancement, Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, Shear flows
Nonequilibrium Structure and Relaxation in Active Microemulsions
Research article | Cells | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Rakesh Chatterjee, Hui-Shun Kuan, Frank Jülicher, and Vasily Zaburdaev
Microphase separation is common in active biological systems as exemplified by the separation of RNA- and DNA-rich phases in the cell nucleus driven by the transcriptional activity of polymerase enzymes acting similarly to amphiphiles in a microemulsion. Here we propose an analytically tractable model of an active microemulsion to investigate how the activity affects its structure and relaxation dynamics. Continuum theory derived from a lattice model exhibits two distinct regimes of the relaxation dynamics and is linked to the broken detailed balance due to intermittent activity of the amphiphiles.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 038401 (2025)
Cells, Cellular compartments, Liquid-liquid interfaces, Living matter & active matter, Subcellular structures, Lattice-Boltzmann methods, Mean-field & cluster methods, Monte Carlo methods
Physical Review X
Ultrahigh-Energy Event KM3-230213A within the Global Neutrino Landscape
Research article | Cosmic ray sources | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
O. Adriani et al. (KM3NeT Collaboration)
*et al.*The unexpectedly high-energy neutrino detected by KM3NeT remains statistically consistent with a fluctuation. Current data cannot confirm if this detection was a hint at a new, ultrahigh-energy component in the cosmic neutrino spectrum.
Phys. Rev. X 15, 031016 (2025)
Cosmic ray sources, Cosmic rays & astroparticles, Extrasolar neutrino astronomy, Neutrinos, Neutrino detection
Effective One-Dimensional Reduction of Multicompartment Complex Systems Dynamics
Research article | Chemical reactions | 2025-07-15 06:00 EDT
Giorgio Vittorio Visco, Johannes Nauta, Tomas Scagliarini, Oriol Artime, and Manlio De Domenico
A physics-based path-integral method simplifies complex compartmental models, enabling better analysis of phase transitions in systems such as epidemics, ecosystems, and infrastructure networks.
Phys. Rev. X 15, 031017 (2025)
Chemical reactions, Complex systems, Network phase transitions, Phase transitions, Compartmental model
arXiv
An eco-friendly universal strategy via ribavirin to achieve highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Xianhu Wu, Gaojie Xia, Guanglei Cui, Jieyu Bi, Nian Liu, Jiaxin Jiang, Jilong Sun, Luyang Liu, Ping Li, Ning Lu, Zewen Zuo, Min Gu
The grain boundaries of perovskite films prepared by the solution method are highly disordered, with a large number of defects existing at the grain boundaries. These defect sites promote the decomposition of perovskite. Here, we use ribavirin obtained through bacillus subtilis fermentation to regulate the crystal growth of perovskite, inducing changes in the work function and energy level structure of perovskite, which significantly reduces the defect density. Based on density functional theory calculations, the defect formation energies of VI, VMA, VPb, and PbI in perovskite are improved. This increases the open-circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/perovskite/PCBM/BCP/Ag) from 1.077 to 1.151 V, and the PCE increases significantly from 17.05% to 19.86%. Unencapsulated PSCs were stored in the environment (humidity approximately 35+-5%) for long-term stability testing. After approximately 900 hours of storage, the PCE of the ribavirin-based device retains 84.33% of its initial PCE, while the control-based device retains only 13.44% of its initial PCE. The PCE of PSCs (ITO/SnO2/perovskite/Spiro-OMETAD/Ag) is increased from 20.16% to 22.14%, demonstrating the universality of this doping method. This universal doping strategy provides a new approach for improving the efficiency and stability of PSCs using green molecular doping strategies.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Applied Physics (physics.app-ph)
Ferrimagnetism from quantum fluctuations in Kitaev materials
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Niccolò Francini, Pedro M. Cônsoli, Lukas Janssen
Ferrimagnetism appears in the temperature-field phase diagrams of several candidate Kitaev materials, such as the honeycomb cobaltates Na$ _2$ Co$ _2$ TeO$ _6$ and Na$ _3$ Co$ _2$ SbO$ _6$ . In a number of instances, however, the exact nature of the corresponding ground states remains the subject of ongoing debate. We show that general symmetry considerations can rule out candidate states that are incompatible with the observed ferrimagnetic behavior. In particular, we demonstrate that a ferrimagnetic response cannot be reconciled with a collinear zigzag ground state, owing to the combined time-reversal and translational symmetry inherent to that configuration. Instead, the observed behavior is fully compatible with the symmetries of noncollinear multi-$ \mathbf q$ states, such as the triple-$ \mathbf q$ discussed in the context of Na$ _2$ Co$ _2$ TeO$ _6$ . We exemplify this general result by computing the ferrimagnetic response of an extended Heisenberg-Kitaev-Gamma model with explicit sublattice symmetry breaking within linear spin-wave theory. If the model realizes a triple-$ \mathbf q$ ground state, the calculated magnetization curve is well consistent with the low-temperature behavior observed in Na$ _2$ Co$ _2$ TeO$ _6$ . In this case, a finite magnetization remains in the zero-temperature limit as a consequence of quantum fluctuations, even if the $ g$ -factors on the different sublattices are identical. For a zigzag ground state, by contrast, the total magnetization vanishes both at zero and finite temperatures, independent of possible sublattice-dependent $ g$ -factors, as expected from the symmetry analysis. The implications of our general result for other Kitaev materials exhibiting ferrimagnetic behavior are also briefly discussed.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
17 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables
Making rare events typical in $d$-dimensional chaotic maps
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Yllari K. González-Koda, Ricardo Gutiérrez, Carlos Pérez-Espigares
Due to the deterministic nature of chaotic systems, fluctuations in their trajectories arise solely from the choice of initial conditions. Some of these dynamical fluctuations may lead to extremely unlikely scenarios. Understanding the impact of such rare events and the trajectories that give rise to them is of significant interest across disciplines. Yet, identifying the initial conditions responsible for those events is a challenging task due to the inherent sensitivity to small perturbations of chaotic dynamics. In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 227201 (2023)], this challenge was addressed by finding the effective dynamics that make rare events typical for one-dimensional chaotic maps. Here we extend such large-deviation framework to $ d$ -dimensional chaotic maps. Specifically, for any such map, we propose a method to find an effective topologically-conjugate map which reproduces the rare-event statistics in the long-time limit. We demonstrate the applicability of this result using several observables of paradigmatic examples of two-dimensional chaos, namely the two-dimensional tent map and Arnold’s cat map.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Mathematical Physics (math-ph), Dynamical Systems (math.DS), Chaotic Dynamics (nlin.CD)
17 pages, 14 figures
Quasiparticle band picture bridging topology and strong correlations across energy scales
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Ivan Pasqua, Antonio Maria Tagliente, Gabriele Bellomia, Bartomeu Monserrat, Michele Fabrizio, Carlos Mejuto-Zaera
Understanding the interplay between electronic correlations and band topology remains a central challenge in condensed matter physics, primarily hindered by a language mismatch problem. While band topology is naturally formulated within a single-particle band theory, strong correlations typically elude such an effective one-body description. In this work, we bridge this gap leveraging the ghost Gutzwiller (gGut) variational embedding framework, which introduces auxiliary quasiparticle degrees of freedom to recover an effective band structure description of strongly correlated systems. This approach enables an interpretable and computationally efficient treatment of correlated topological phases, resulting in energy- and momentum-resolved topological features that are directly comparable with experimental spectra. We exemplify the advantages of this framework through a detailed study of the interacting Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model. Not only does the gGut description reproduce established results, but it also reveals previously inaccessible aspects: most notably, the emergence of topologically nontrivial Hubbard bands hosting their own edge states, as well as possible ways to manipulate these through a finite magnetization. These results position the gGut framework as a promising tool for the predictive modeling of correlated topological materials.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Quantum criticality and tunable Griffiths phase in superconducting twisted trilayer graphene
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Phanibhusan S. Mahapatra, Haining Pan, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, J. H. Pixley, Eva Y. Andrei
When dimensionality is reduced, enhanced quantum fluctuations can destroy long-range phase coherence, driving a superconductor insulator transition, SIT, where disorder and electronic correlations give rise to novel many-body states. Here, we report the first observation of a magnetic field tuned SIT in mirrorsymmetric twisted trilayer graphene, TTG. Remarkably, signatures of quantum criticality persist over an exceptionally broad range of magnetic fields and are well described by the formation of a quantum Griffiths phase, a regime in which rare spatially extended regions develop local order within a globally disordered phase. This leads to a quantum phase transition governed by an infinite-randomness fixed point and characterized by ultraslow relaxation dynamics. Near the quantum critical region, transport measurements reveal strongly nonlinear electrical behavior, including a current-driven reentrant transition from insulating to superconducting transport, providing direct evidence of local superconducting order. By tilting the magnetic field, we are able to collapse the broad Griffiths regime into a single quantum critical point, QCP, demonstrating a striking level of control over disorder induced quantum dynamics. Our results further show that TTG strongly violates the Pauli limit and establishes twisted trilayer graphene as a tunable platform for exploring quantum phase fluctuations, Cooper pair localization, and unconventional superconductivity.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
17 pages 4 figures
Natural super-orbitals representation of many-body operators
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
We introduce the concept of natural super-orbitals for many-body operators, defined as the eigenvectors of the one-body super-density matrix associated with a vectorized operator. We first analyze the general analytical properties of these objects in various contexts, including the time-evolution operator of non-interacting Hamiltonians and Haar-random unitaries. We then perform a numerical investigation of the natural super-orbitals corresponding to both the time-evolution operator and a time-evolved local operator, focusing on two many-body systems: the fermionic $ t\text{-}V$ chain and an impurity model, using tensor network simulations. Our results reveal that the $ t\text{-}V$ model lacks a preferred super-orbital basis, while in the impurity model, the occupations of the natural orbitals for both operators decay exponentially at all times. This indicates that only a small number of orbitals contribute significantly to quantum correlations, enabling a compact matrix-product-operator representation in the natural orbital basis. Finally, we examine the spatial spread of the natural orbitals for time-evolved local operators in the impurity model and show that the complexity of this operator in the natural orbital basis saturates over time. This new framework opens the door to future research that leverages the compressed structure of operators in their natural super-orbital basis, enabling for instance the computation of out-of-time-order correlators in large interacting systems over extended time scales.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
14 pages, 9 figures
Exotic superconducting states in altermagnets
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Kirill Parshukov, Andreas P. Schnyder
The interplay between magnetism and superconductivity is one of the central topics of condensed matter physics, which has recently been put into new light by the discovery of altermagnets. Here, we study this interplay from a fundamental symmetry perspective using irreducible co-representations of the altermagnetic spin-point groups. We construct and tabulate all symmetry-allowed pairing functions for altermagnets, which uncovers numerous exotic pairing states. We focus on three of them, namely: (i) a non-unitary superconductor with different spatial anisotropies for the spin-up and spin-down condensates, (ii) a half-and-half metal-superconductor where only electrons with one of the two spin components form Cooper pairs, and (iii) a spin chiral superconductor with spin-polarized edge states. Interestingly, the first of these three superconductors exhibits an unusual fractional ac Josephson current for only one of the two spin polarizations. We present phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theories for these unconventional superconductors and show that they correspond to stable minima of the free energies. We examine their topological properties, study the effects of small spin-orbit coupling, consider possible material examples, and investigate their topological responses.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
67 pages, 9 figures, 126 tables
Neural Network-Augmented Pfaffian Wave-functions for Scalable Simulations of Interacting Fermions
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Ao Chen, Zhou-Quan Wan, Anirvan Sengupta, Antoine Georges, Christopher Roth
Developing accurate numerical methods for strongly interacting fermions is crucial for improving our understanding of various quantum many-body phenomena, especially unconventional superconductivity. Recently, neural quantum states have emerged as a promising approach for studying correlated fermions, highlighted by the hidden fermion and backflow methods, which use neural networks to model corrections to fermionic quasiparticle orbitals. In this work, we expand these ideas to the space of Pfaffians, a wave-function that naturally expresses superconducting pairings, and propose the hidden fermion Pfaffian state (HFPS), which flexibly represents both unpaired and superconducting phases and scales to large systems with favorable asymptotic complexity. In our numerical experiments, HFPS provides state-of-the-art variational accuracy in different regimes of both the attractive and repulsive Hubbard models. We show that the HFPS is able to capture both s-wave and d-wave pairing, and therefore may be a useful tool for modeling phases with unconventional superconductivity.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
Spin and valley-dependent tunneling in MoS$_2$ through magnetic barrier
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Ahmed Jellal, Nadia Benlakhouy, Pablo Díaz, David Laroze
We study electron transport in monolayer molybdenum disulfide MoS$ _2$ subjected to a magnetic barrier. Our analysis employs a full-band continuum model to capture the relevant physical phenomena. We focus on how electron energy, magnetic field strength, and the geometric characteristics of the barrier affect the transmission and conductance. We observe sharp resonant tunneling features emerging from quantum interference effects induced by magnetic confinement. A key outcome of our study is the discovery of distinct resonance patterns in the conduction and valence bands. These patterns are closely related to the intrinsic spin-orbit coupling in MoS$ _2$ and the breaking of time-reversal symmetry by the magnetic field. This results in significant spin and valley selectivity in electron transport. We demonstrate that adjusting external parameters precisely controls spin-polarized and valley-polarized currents. We show that a magnetic barrier can control electron spin and valley in MoS$ _2$ , making it a promising platform for energy-efficient spintronic and valleytronic devices.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
9 pages, 8 figures. Version to appear in Comput. Mater. Sci
Mixed-configuration approximation for multi-orbital systems out of equilibrium
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Tommaso Maria Mazzocchi, Daniel Werner, Markus Aichhorn, Enrico Arrigoni
We propose a mixed-configuration approximation based on single-band impurity solvers to efficiently study nonequilibrium multi-orbital systems at moderate computational cost. In this work, we merge the approach with the so-called auxiliary master equation approach. As benchmark, we first show that our approach reproduces the results of quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) for two-orbital impurity models at equilibrium with overall good accuracy, especially for non-degenerate orbitals. We then use our approach as impurity solver for dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) to address the case of a two-orbital, realistic layered structure, recovering the strong crystal-field-driven charge polarization observed by solving the DMFT self-consistent cycle with QMC, albeit slightly reduced. Finally, we address a prototype nonequilibrium setup by sandwiching this layer between metallic contacts subject to a bias voltage described by different chemical potentials. This simplified model demonstrates out method’s potential to access nonequilibrium steady-state behavior of multi-orbital, realistic materials. These findings provide a first-step basis for theoretical studies of nonequilibrium properties of multi-orbital compounds directly in the real frequency domain.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
12 pages, 7 figures. Comments are welcome
Intermediate-valence behavior in U2Rh2Sb
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
D. Legut, M. Krnel, P. Koželj, Yu. Prots, M. Juckel, U. Burkhardt, A. Ormeci, Yu. Grin, A. Leithe-Jasper, J. Kolorenč, E. Svanidze, U. D. Wdowik
Intermediate-valence behavior is sometimes observed in lanthanide-based materials containing Ce, Yb, Sm or Eu. However, the number of actinide-based systems that exhibit this type of behavior is rather limited. In this work, we present the discovery and characterization of a uranium compound U2Rh2Sb, which turns out to be a candidate for the intermediate-valencebehavior. The material shows a characteristic feature in the magnetic susceptibility around T = 50 K, which can be described within the interconfiguration-fluctuation model of intermediate valence systems. We find the energy difference between the 5f3(U3+) and 5f2(U4+) states to be $ \delta$ Eex/kB $ \approx$ 400 K and the corresponding valence fluctuation temperature to be Tvf $ \approx$ 140 K. The value of the electronic specific heat coefficient $ \gamma$ = 50 mJ mol-1 U K-2 signals a modest electron effective mass enhancement. The electrical resistivity indicates metallic behavior, albeit with a small residual resistivity ratio. Measurements of thermoelectric properties indicate a change of sign in the Seebeck coefficient around T = 100 K, with a minimum achieved at T = 50 K, which coincides with the broad peak observed in magnetic susceptibility. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical analysis, based on the first-principles calculations, including lattice dynamics.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Sensitivity of x-ray absorption at $5d$ edges of high-valent light actinides to crystal-field strength and covalency effects
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Johan Vegelius, David K. Shuh, Sergei M. Butorin
The $ 5f$ states were probed in ThO$ 2$ and U(VI) and U(V) oxides using x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the actinide $ O{4,5}$ edges. Measured data were analyzed by several approaches including atomic, crystal-field theory and the Anderson impurity model to take into account the hybridization of actinide valence states with oxygen $ 2p$ states. For Th(IV), the $ 5f$ states are mainly affected by the crystal-field interaction with the closest neighbors as can be seen from the corresponding spectrum of ThO$ _2$ . In turn, for U(VI) and U(V) oxides, the U $ 5f$ -O $ 2p$ hybridization and high degree of covalency in the chemical bonding play a decisive role increasing the $ 5f$ occupancy and consequently governing the ground and excited state properties. That is additionally illustrated by results from the calculations of the U $ 5d$ x-ray photoemission spectra for U(V) in the lattice of La-doped UO$ _2$ .
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
Imaging Nonlinear Spin Waves in Magnetoacoustic Devices
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
N. Beaver, B. Luo, S-W. Chiu, D. A. Bas, P. J. Shah, A. Franson, M. S. Wolf, M. R. Page, M. J. Newburger, L. Caretta, N. X. Sun, P. Stevenson
Magnetoacoustic systems offer promising platforms for next-generation sensors and computing applications, but understanding their nonlinear dynamics remains challenging. Here, we use nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to spatially map nonlinear magnon scattering processes in FeGaB/LiNbO3 magnetoacoustic devices with sub-micron resolution. We observe highly heterogeneous magnetic noise generation under acoustic driving at 1425 MHz, with responses varying dramatically across micron length scales. Time-domain measurements reveal threshold-like nonlinear behavior where NV center spin relaxation rates increase over two orders of magnitude as drive power is increased. These findings reveal microscopic noise sources that limit magnetoacoustic sensor performance while simultaneously demonstrating how acoustic mode engineering could enable selective control of nonlinear magnon processes.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
Revisiting the Abundance of Topological Materials
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Hossein Mirhosseini, Luis Elcoro, Andreas Knüpfer, Thomas D. Kühne
The classification of topological materials is revisited using advanced computational workflows that integrate hybrid density functional theory calculations with exact Hartree-Fock exchange. Unlike previous studies, our workflow optimizes atomic configurations obtained from the Materials Project Database, followed by precise electronic structure calculations. Our results based on hybrid density functional theory calculations reveal that only 15% of materials are topologically nontrivial, which is in stark contrast to the previously reported 30% based on semi-local exchange and correlation functionals. This discrepancy underscores the critical dependence of topological classifications on accurate atomic and electronic structures, rendering the abundance of topological materials much lower than generally assumed.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
A molecular dynamics investigation of the dependence of mechanical properties of steel nanowires on C concentration
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
J.K. Liyanage, M.D.Nadeesha Tharundi, Laalitha S. I. Liyanage
The temperature dependence of mechanical properties of steel nanowires with varying carbon content was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Four interatomic potentials were assessed, with the Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) potential developed by Liyanage et al. selected for its accuracy in predicting the behavior of BCC Fe, FeC in the B1 rock salt structure, and BCC iron with carbon. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted on FeC nanowires with carbon concentrations of 0-10% at temperatures ranging from 0.1 K to 900 K. Stress-strain curves were analyzed to determine Young’s modulus, yield stress, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Results showed that Young’s modulus increased between 0.1 K and 300 K but decreased between 600 K and 900 K with increasing carbon content. Both yield stress and UTS decreased progressively with higher carbon percentages. Common Neighbor Analysis revealed rapid formation of slip planes as carbon content increased and greater slip plane propagation at elevated temperatures, contributing to reduced nanowire strength. These findings provide insights into the influence of carbon content and temperature on the mechanical behavior of steel nanowires, which may inform the design of nanostructured steel materials for various applications.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Revising the Theory of Cross Phenomena
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Recently, the present author proposed a Theory of Cross Phenomena (TCP), which asserts that the flux of a molar quantity is governed solely by the gradient of its conjugate potential, as derived from the combined law of thermodynamics. This contrasts with the classical Onsager theorem, i.e., flux equations and reciprocal relations, which posit that fluxes are linearly related to the gradients of all potentials through a symmetric kinetic coefficient matrix. In the present work, the original TCP is revised with the flux equation derived from the first law of thermodynamics and the definitions of the total entropy change and the total work change of an internal process. Although the revision is foundational, both original and revised TCP frameworks lead to similar conclusions with respect to the Onsager theorem.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Marginal Metals and Kosterlitz-Thouless Type Phase Transition in Disordered Altermagnets
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Chang-An Li, Bo Fu, Huaiming Guo, Björn Trauzettel, Song-Bo Zhang
Altermagnetism, a recently discovered magnetic phase characterized by spin-split bands without net magnetization, has emerged as promising platform for novel physics and potential applications. However, its stability against disorder-ubiquitous in real materials-remains poorly understood. Here, we study the electron localization properties of two-dimensional altermagnets subject to disorder. Remarkably, we discover a disorder-driven phase transition from a marginal metallic phase to an insulator, which falls into the Kosterlitz-Thouless class. We demonstrate this by convincing numerical evidence and propose a vortex-antivortex-like spin pair picture for its interpretation. Moreover, we show that the characteristic spin anisotropy of altermagnets persists but gradually fades away across the transition. These changes directly affect the spin-splitting features that are detectable in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and tunneling magnetoresistance. Our findings provide a new perspective on recent experimental observations of altermagnetism in candidate materials.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
7+3 pages, 5+3 figures
Dimensional crossover of superfluid $^{3}$He in a magnetic field
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Leyla Saraj, Daksh Malhotra, Aymar Muhikira, Alexander J. Shook, John P. Davis, Igor Boettcher
Motivated by recent experiments on superfluid $ ^3$ He in nanoscale-confined geometries, we theoretically investigate the associated phase diagram in a slab geometry and perpendicular magnetic field as the size of confinement is varied. Our analysis is based on minimizing the Ginzburg–Landau free energy for the $ 3\times 3$ matrix superfluid order parameter for three different boundary conditions. We observe a smooth crossover from the phase diagram of the 3D system to the quasi-2D limit for slab heights of several hundred nanometres and magnetic fields of several kilogauss. We illuminate that, despite the apparent complexity of the underlying equations, many precise numerical and even analytical statements can be made about the phase structure for general values of the coefficients of the free energy functional, which can in turn be used to constrain or measure these parameters. To guide future experimental studies, we compute the phase diagram in dependence of pressure, temperature, slab height, and magnetic field.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con)
35 pages
Control of fragment sizes of exploding rings
New Submission | Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
We investigate the fragmentation of ring-like brittle structures under explosive loading using a discrete element model. By systematically varying ring thickness and strain rate, we uncover a transition from one-dimensional (1D) segmentation to two-dimensional (2D) planar fragmentation and, ultimately, to complete shattering. This transition is driven by the effective dimensionality of the crack pattern, which evolves with increasing strain rate. We identify a critical ring thickness beyond which segmentation ceases, and fragmentation directly follows a power-law mass distribution characteristic of 2D systems. In the crossover regime, spanning and non-spanning fragments coexist, enabling control over the power-law exponent of the mass distribution. At very high strain rates, we observe a transition to complete shattering, where the system follows a novel scaling law relating the shattering strain rate to ring thickness. Our results provide fundamental insights into fragmentation universality classes and offer potential applications in space debris prediction, controlled detonation technologies, and materials engineering.
Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
9 pages, 9 figures
Raman signature of cation vacancies in rare-earth nitrides
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
M. Markwitz, K. Van Koughnet, K. Kneisel, W. F. Holmes-Hewett, F. Natali, E. X. M. Trewick, L. Porteous, B. J. Ruck, H. J. Trodahl
We report a coordinated Raman/computation study of the rare-earth nitrides, a series of intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductors, to reveal the presence of cation vacancies. Their presence is signaled by a Raman-active vibrational mode at 1100-1400 cm$ ^{-1}$ , rising steadily as the lattice contracts across the series. The mode’s frequency is in excellent agreement with the computed breathing-mode vibration of the six nitrogen ions surrounding cation vacancies. The discovery of such cation vacancies opens the door for hole doping that has so far been lacking in the exploitation of rare-earth nitrides.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
7 pages, 5 figures, 42 references. The following article has been accepted by Physical Review B. After it is published, it can be found at this https URL
Solid-State Dewetting of Polycrystalline Thin Films: a Phase Field Approach
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Paul Hoffrogge, Nils Becker, Daniel Schneider, Britta Nestler, Axel Voigt, Marco Salvalaglio
Solid-state dewetting (SSD) is the process by which thin solid films break up and retract on a substrate, resulting in the formation of nanostructures and islands. While SSD in single-crystalline films is generally understood as a surface-energy-driven process mediated by surface diffusion, polycrystalline films feature additional complexity due to the presence of grain boundaries. Theoretical investigations and simulation frameworks have mainly focused on single-crystalline SSD. In this work, we present and apply a multi-phase-field framework that captures key mechanisms in polycrystalline thin films with multiple grains and grain boundaries in three dimensions. By considering isotropic surface and interface energy and curvature-driven grain boundary motion, we demonstrate how the framework reproduces the key phenomenology of SSD while being consistent with predictions based on energetic arguments. We also introduce refined analytical criteria for the onset of dewetting, confirmed by numerical simulations. Key evidence is given concerning the onset of dewetting at grain-boundary triple junctions. Moreover, we showcase SSD of polycrystalline patches. This work paves the way for in-depth investigations of the morphological evolution of polycrystalline thin films.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)
7 pages, 4 figures. Supplemental Material Included (3 pages, 1 figure)
Ratchet Effects in Cyclic Pattern Formation Systems with Competing Interactions
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
C. Reichhardt, C.J.O. Reichhardt
Ratchet effects can appear for particles interacting with an asymmetric potential under ac driving or for a thermal system in which a substrate is periodically flashed. Here, we show that a new type of collective ratchet effect can arise for a pattern-forming system coupled to an asymmetric substrate when the interaction potential between the particles is periodically oscillated in order to cycle the system through different patterns. We consider particles with competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion subjected to time-dependent oscillations of the ratio between the attractive and repulsive interaction terms, which causes the system to cycle periodically between crystal and bubble states. In the presence of the substrate, this system exhibits both a positive and a reversed ratchet effect, and we show that there is a maximum in the ratchet efficiency as a function of interaction strength, ac drive frequency, and particle density. Our results could be realized for a variety of pattern-forming systems on asymmetric substrates where the pattern type or particle interactions can be oscillated.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
15 pages, 24 figures
Failed superconductivity in a Mott spin liquid material
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Yuxin Wang, Vladimir Dobrosavljević, Eun Sang Choi, Yohei Saito, Atsushi Kawamoto, Andrej Pustogow, Martin Dressel, Dragana Popović
A central challenge for understanding unconventional superconductivity in most strongly correlated electronic materials is their complicated band structure and presence of competing orders. In contrast, quasi-two-dimensional organic spin liquids are single-band systems with superconductivity arising near the bandwidth-tuned Mott metal-insulator transition in the absence of other orders. Here, we study chemically substituted $ \kappa$ -organics in which superconducting fluctuations emerge in the phase coexistence region between the Mott insulator and the Fermi liquid. Using magnetotransport and ac susceptibility measurements, we find that global superconductivity fails to set in as temperature $ T\rightarrow 0$ . Our results indicate instead the presence of superconducting domains embedded in the metallic percolating cluster that undergo a magnetic field-tuned quantum superconductor-to-metal phase transition. Surprisingly, albeit consistent with the percolation picture, universal conductance fluctuations are seen at high fields in macroscopic samples. The observed interplay of the intrinsic inhomogeneity and quantum phase fluctuations provides a new insight into failed superconductivity, a phenomenon seen in various conventional and unconventional superconductors, including cuprates.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
26 pages, 4 figures + Supplementary (8 figures)
Functional Neural Wavefunction Optimization
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Victor Armegioiu, Juan Carrasquilla, Siddhartha Mishra, Johannes Müller, Jannes Nys, Marius Zeinhofer, Hang Zhang
We propose a framework for the design and analysis of optimization algorithms in variational quantum Monte Carlo, drawing on geometric insights into the corresponding function space. The framework translates infinite-dimensional optimization dynamics into tractable parameter-space algorithms through a Galerkin projection onto the tangent space of the variational ansatz. This perspective unifies existing methods such as stochastic reconfiguration and Rayleigh-Gauss-Newton, provides connections to classic function-space algorithms, and motivates the derivation of novel algorithms with geometrically principled hyperparameter choices. We validate our framework with numerical experiments demonstrating its practical relevance through the accurate estimation of ground-state energies for several prototypical models in condensed matter physics modeled with neural network wavefunctions.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Machine Learning (cs.LG), Optimization and Control (math.OC), Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
Rate-independent hysteretic energy dissipation in collagen fibrils
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Robert Magerle, Paul Zech, Martin Dehnert, Alexandra Bendixen, Andreas Otto
Nanoindentation cycles measured with an atomic force microscope on hydrated collagen fibrils exhibit a rate-independent hysteresis with return point memory. This previously unknown energy dissipation mechanism describes in unified form elastoplastic indentation, capillary adhesion, and surface leveling at indentation velocities smaller than 1 $ \mu$ m s$ ^{-1}$ , where viscous friction is negligible. A generic hysteresis model, based on force-distance data measured during one large approach-retract cycle, predicts the force (output) and the dissipated energy for arbitrary indentation trajectories (input). While both quantities are rate independent, they do depend nonlinearly on indentation history and on indentation amplitude.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph)
9 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, accepted manuscript
Soft Matter 20 (2024) 2831-2839
Spin ordering-induced fully-compensated ferrimagnetism
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
San-Dong Guo, Shaobo Chen, Guangzhao Wang
Fully-compensated ferrimagnets exhibit zero net magnetic moment yet display non-relativistic global spin splitting, making them highly advantageous for constructing high-performance spintronic devices. The general strategy is to break the inversion symmetry of conventional antiferromagnets or the rotational/mirror symmetry of altermagnets to achieve fully-compensated ferrimagnets. Here, we propose to induce fully-compensated ferrimagnetism by engineering the spin ordering rather than modifying the lattice structure. Bilayer stacking engineering offers a convenient platform to verify our proposal and readily enables switching between two distinct electronic states by tuning the $ \mathrm{N\acute{e}el}$ vector of one layer. By the first-principles calculations, a bilayer system is constructed with monolayer $ \mathrm{Cr_2C_2S_6}$ as the elementary building block to corroborate our proposal. This strategy can also be extended to inducing altermagnetism via spin ordering engineering. Our work offers an alternative route to realize non-relativistic spin splitting in zero-net-magnetization magnets, paving the way for the advancement and construction of low-power spintronic device.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
6 pages, 7 figures
Chaos in a Nonequilibrium Two-Temperature (Tx, Ty) Nosé-Hoover Cell Model
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Hesam Arabzadeh, Carol Griswold Hoover, William Graham Hoover
We revisit a two-temperature Nosé-Hoover wanderer particle embedded in a two-dimensional periodic 2x2 cell with four smooth repulsive corners to explore chaos with anisotropic thermostatting. The model employs separate thermostats in the x and y directions, enabling controlled deviations from equilibrium. By integrating the full six-dimensional equations of motion and computing the complete Lyapunov spectrum, we confirm chaos and quantify phase-space contraction with high numerical precision. The total contraction rate, interpreted as entropy production, grows nonlinearly with the thermostat anisotropy and follows a superquadratic power law, $ \Lambda\propto -\delta^{2.44}$ , deviating from linear-response theory. The approximate Kaplan-Yorke dimension reveals a fractal attractor that concentrates as |Tx - Ty| increases. Momentum statistics show significant non-Gaussian behavior under strong driving. Despite its dissipative nature, the model remains strictly time-reversible, offering a pedagogically rich example of microscopic reversibility coexisting with macroscopic entropy production.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Chaotic Dynamics (nlin.CD)
Quorum sensing of light-activated colloids in nematic liquid crystals
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Antonio Tavera-Vázquez, David Martin, Haijie Ren, Sam Rubin, Andrés Córdoba, Rui Zhang, Vincenzo Vitelli, Juan J. de Pablo
Motile living organisms routinely probe their surroundings to adapt in ever-evolving environments. Although synthetic microswimmers offer surrogates for self-propelled living entities, they often lack the complex feedback mechanisms that enable organisms to adapt. In this work, we present an experimental platform in which light-activated colloids dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal can (i) switch from directed to active Brownian motion depending on the nematic anchoring and (ii) mechanically adjust their motility in response to crowding, effectively enforcing quorum-sensing interactions. Both features are caused by a distinctive self-propulsion mechanism as unveiled through experiments, simulations, and theory. We characterize the dynamics of a single colloid and demonstrate that its motion is captured by an active Brownian particle model if the nematic anchoring is homeotropic, and by directed self-propulsion along the nematic director if the anchoring is planar. Next, we investigate the many-body dynamics, showing that it undergoes a clustering phase separation through effective quorum-sensing interactions. Our work suggests how to create adaptive materials with life-like capabilities using readily accessible properties of liquid crystals and colloids without explicitly engineering any of the needed mechano-chemical feedbacks.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)
19 pages, 4 main figures, 2 figures in appendix
Moiré dependent Chern insulators in twisted crystalline flatbands
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Wenxuan Wang, Yijie Wang, Zaizhe Zhang, Zihao Huo, Gengdong Zhou, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, X.C. Xie, Kaihui Liu, Zhida Song, Xiaobo Lu
In moiré crystals, the competition between different isospin configurations can be tuned by twist angles and stacking orders, forming various symmetry-broken states. Here we report twisted double rhombohedral-trilayer-gaphene as a new twisted crystalline flatbands system showing rich moiré dependent topological phenomena. For small twist angles, programmable Chern insulators with Chern number C = 3 at integer moiré filling v = 1 have been observed. We have further revealed multiple first-order transitions and an exotic hidden order which can quench the Chern insulator. Interestingly, for a larger twist angle, multiple Chern insulators with C = 1 at fractional fillings including v = 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 have been observed, whereas the Chern insulator at v = 1 is absent. Our study demonstrated the twisted flatbands from rhombohedral-multilayer-graphene as a new platform to study topological correlated physics, offering a promising pathway toward developing new devices for quantum storage and computation.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
Tunable Interlayer Excitons in Bilayer Graphene Nanoribbons
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Alexandre R. Rocha, Rodrigo G. Amorim, Wanderlã L. Scopel, Cesar E. P. Villegas
Vertically stacked van der Waals structures are promising platforms that enable layer engineering, opening new avenues for the quantum control of elementary excitations, including optically generated bound electron-hole pairs. Here we employ excited-state density functional calculations to demonstrate strong interlayer excitonic coupling in one-dimensional van der Waals nanostructures derived from armchair graphene nanoribbons. The excitonic response exhibits prominent peaks in the near-infrared range, mainly attributed to intralayer excitons, while interlayer excitations with absorption peak strengths of up to 13% of the maximum absorption are also observed. Both type-I and type-II band alignments are found, which promote the formation of intralayer and interlayer excitons. Notably, interlayer excitons in these systems exhibit long-lived radiative lifetimes at room temperature, ranging from 1 nanosecond to 9.4 microseconds. Our calculations suggest the potential to tune the excitonic response and lifetimes of bilayer graphene nanoribbons via careful engineering of the stacking order.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Optical Spin Sensing and Metamagnetic Phase Control in the 2D Van der Waals Magnet Yb3+-Doped CrPS4
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Jacob T. Baillie, Kimo Pressler, Nick J. Adams, Faris Horani, Thom J. Snoeren, Rémi Beaulac, Daniel R. Gamelin
The emergence of two-dimensional magnets within the van der Waals toolkit has introduced unprecedented opportunities to develop ultrathin spintronic technologies. Strong coupling between spin and optical properties in such materials can further enable novel spin-photonic capabilities of both fundamental and technological interest. Here, we investigate the optical and spin properties of the air-stable, layered A-type antiferromagnet chromium thiophosphate (CrPS4) when doped with Yb3+. We show that the collective spin properties of CrPS4 are encoded in the sharp f-f luminescence of isolated Yb3+ dopants via strong magnetic superexchange coupling between the two, and that spontaneous magnetic ordering in CrPS4 induces large exchange splittings in the narrow Yb3+ f-f photoluminescence features below TN. Spin reorientation in CrPS4 via a “spin-flop” metamagnetic transition modulates the Yb3+ f-f luminescence energies and exchange splittings. This pronounced link between spin and optical properties enables the demonstration of optically driven spin-flop transitions in CrPS4.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
19 pages, 5 figures, plus supporting information
Stable hopfions in trapped quantum droplets
New Submission | Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Zibin Zhao, Guilong Li, Huanbo Luo, Bin Liu, Guihua Chen, Boris A. Malomed, Yongyao Li
Hopfions are a class of three-dimensional (3D) solitons which are built as vortex tori carrying intrinsic twist of the toroidal core. They are characterized by two independent topological charges, \textit{viz}., vorticity $ S$ and winding number $ M$ of the intrinsic twist, whose product determines the \textit{Hopf number}, $ Q_{H}=MS$ , which is the basic characteristic of the hopfions. We construct hopfions as solutions of the 3D Gross-Pitaevskii equations (GPEs) for Bose-Einstein condensates in binary atomic gases. The GPE system includes the cubic mean-field self-attraction, competing with the quartic self-repulsive Lee-Huang-Yang (LHY) term, which represents effects of quantum fluctuations around the mean-field state, and a trapping toroidal potential (TP). A systematic numerical analysis demonstrates that families of the states with $ S=1,M=0$ , i.e., $ Q_{H}=0$ , are stable, provided that the inner TP\ radius $ R_{0}$ exceeds a critical value. Furthermore, true hopfions with $ S=1,M=1\sim 7$ , which correspond, accordingly, to $ Q_{H}=1\sim 7$ , also form partly stable families, including the case of the LHY\ superfluid, in which the nonlinearity is represented solely by the LHY term. On the other hand, the hopfion family is completely unstable in the absence of the LHY term, when only the mean-field nonlinearity is present. We illustrate the knot-like structure of the hopfions by means of an elementary geometric picture. For $ Q_{H}=0$ , circles which represent the \textit{preimage} of the full state do not intersect. On the contrary, for $ Q_{H}\geq 1$ they intersect at points whose number is identical to $ Q_{H}$ . The intersecting curves form multi-petal structures with the number of petals also equal to $ Q_{H}$ .
Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas)
10 pages, 10 figures, and 90 references
Frequency comb in twisted magnonic crystals
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Minghao Li, Zhejunyu Jin, Zhaozhuo Zeng, Peng Yan
While twisted magnonic crystals (MCs) have recently gained attention for their intriguing linear phenomena, such as magnon flat bands, their nonlinear dynamics – particularly the generation of magnonic frequency combs (MFCs) – have remained largely unexplored. In this work, we demonstrate the creation of MFCs in twisted MCs using two-tone microwave excitation. We find that finite twist angles significantly enhance three-magnon interactions, driven by the non-collinear ground-state magnetic configuration induced by interlayer dipole-dipole interactions. The number of comb teeth exhibits a plateau-like dependence on the twist angle, with the plateau’s width and height saturating as the excitation frequency of the propagating magnon mode increases. This behavior reveals an optimal range of twist angles and frequencies for achieving high-quality MFCs with a large number of comb teeth. Our findings deepen the understanding of nonlinear interactions in twisted MCs and highlight their potential for advancing moiré-based materials in information processing and high-precision metrology.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
10 pages, 9 figures
Polarons in two-dimensional polar materials: All-coupling variational theory
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
A. Kudlis, V. Shahnazaryan, I. V. Tokatly
We present a detailed and self-contained theoretical study of polarons in two-dimensional (2D) polar materials, which extends the classical macroscopic theory of Fröhlich polarons to the 2D case. The theory is fully determined by experimentally accessible parameters, the static and optical 2D polarizabilities of a monolayer, the frequency of transverse optical phonons, and the effective mass of charge carriers. We define a single dimensionless parameter, which characterizes the coupling of electrons with longitudinal optical phonons, analyze both weak- and strong-coupling regimes, and adopt the Feynman variational path-integral approach for a high-quality interpolation between these limits. Our results provide insight into the ground-state energy and effective mass of polarons in the new generation of 2D polar monolayers.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
Weak low-temperature ferromagnetism and linear magnetoresistance in Lu$_{0.75}$Fe$_6$Sn$_6$ with a disordered HfFe$_6$Ge$_6$-type structure
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Chenfei Shi, Zhaodi Lin, Qiyuan Liu, Junai Lv, Xiaofan Xu, Baojuan Kang, Jin-Hu Yang, Yi Liu, Jian Zhang, Shixun Cao, Jin-Ke Bao
We report the synthesis of Lu$ _{0.75}$ Fe$ _6$ Sn$ _6$ single crystals with a Fe-kagome lattice using a self-flux method. The crystal structure, magnetic, thermodynamic and electrical transport properties were investigated. Structure refinement reveals that Lu$ _{0.75}$ Fe$ _6$ Sn$ _6$ has a HfFe$ _6$ Ge$ _6$ -type structure as the major framework intergrown with a CoSn-type structure, leading to a vacancy of 25% on the Lu-site and disorder on the Sn-site. It exhibits a significant magnetic anisotropy with weak ferromagnetism in the ab-plane below 40 K and antiferromagnetic behavior along the c-axis. The weak ferromagnetism is due to the canted antiferromagnetism with magnetic moment deviating from the $ c$ -axis to the ab-plane. Besides, an anisotropic non-saturated linear magnetoresistance is also observed in Lu$ _{0.75}$ Fe$ _6$ Sn$ _6$ , probably resulting from the structural disorder in the sample.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
20 pages, 6 figures
Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 615, 172793 (2025)
On the statistical physics and thermodynamics of polymer networks: a Eulerian theory for entropic elasticity
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Siyu Wang, Heng Xiao, Lin Zhan
This study presents a Eulerian theory to elucidate the molecular kinematics in polymer networks and their connection to continuum deformation, grounded in fundamental statistical physics and thermodynamics. Three key innovations are incorporated: 1. The network behavior is described through a global thermodynamic equilibrium condition that maximizes the number of accessible microstates for all segments, instead of directly dealing with the well-established single-chain models commonly adopted in traditional approaches. A variational problem is then posed in the Eulerian framework to identify this equilibrium state under geometric fluctuation constraints. Its solution recaptures the classical single-chain model and reveals the dependence of chain kinematics upon continuum deformation. 2. The chain stretch and orientation probability are found to be explicitly specified through the Eulerian logarithmic strain and spatial direction. The resulting hyperelastic model, with only two physical parameters, outperforms the extant models with same number of parameters. It further provides a physical justification for prior models exhibiting superior predictive capabilities: the model becomes equivalent to the Biot-chain model at moderate deformations, while converging to the classical Hencky strain energy in the small strain limit. 3.A novel biaxial instability emerges as a phase transition in chain orientation. At sufficiently large deformation, chains increasingly align with the primary stretched direction, depleting their density in other directions. Consequently, the stresses in non-primary stretched directions would decrease as the loss in chain density outweighs the gain in chain force. For equal biaxial tension, instability is therefore triggered because perfect equality of the two principal stretches without any perturbation is practically unachievable.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
Indium Hydroxide Ceramic Targets: A Breakthrough in High-Mobility Thin-Film Transistor Technology
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Hikaru Sadahira, Prashant R. Ghediya, Hyeonjun Kong, Akira Miura, Yasutaka Matsuo, Hiromichi Ohta, Yusaku Magari
Thin-film transistors composed of a hydrogen-containing indium oxide active layer are promising candidates for backplane devices in next-generation flat panel displays, offering higher definition and faster operation. However, the hydrogen incorporation process during film deposition poses challenges for scalable and industrial development due to both safety and controllability issues. Here, we demonstrate that using indium hydroxide ceramic as the target material for film deposition overcomes the difficulties associated with hydrogen gas usage. We sintered commercially available indium hydroxide powder using a conventional ceramic process at 150-250°C in air and utilized it for the deposition of hydrogen-incorporated indium oxide films via pulsed laser deposition. The resulting indium oxide films, after thermal annealing, contained a sufficient concentration of hydrogen and exhibited very high electron mobility due to significantly grown grains. Furthermore, we confirmed that the fabricated thin-film transistors exhibited comparably high performance to those produced using the gas-phase hydrogen incorporation method. This approach offers a practical pathway for hydrogen-containing indium oxide-based thin-film transistors in next-generation flat panel displays.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Applied Physics (physics.app-ph)
29 pages, 7 figures, 8 supplementary figures
Adiabatic nonabelian braiding of imperfect Majoranas
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Maximilian Nitsch, Viktor Svensson, William Samuelson, Konstantin Nestmann, Jeroen Danon, Karsten Flensberg, Rubén Seoane Souto, Martin Leijnse
Demonstration of a nontrivial result of quasiparticle exchange (or braiding) is usually considered the definitive proof of a topological phase with nonabelian excitations, such as Majorana bound states (MBSs). However, in finite systems with disorder and smooth potential variations, the MBSs are imperfect in the sense that they are not fully isolated in space and can, to a varying degree, resemble conventional fermions. Here, we study the braiding properties of isolated MBSs, regular fermions, and anything in between. We find a way to compensate for the undesired splitting of the ground-state degeneracy which occurs during the protocol for imperfect MBS. This leads to a braiding outcome that depends on the degree of MBS isolation but remains robust and nonabelian except in the perfect fermion limit. Our protocol could be implemented in different platforms with nonabelian excitations, including quantum-dot-based minimal Kitaev chains.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
5 pages, 3 Figures + 7 pages, 2 Figures in the Supplementary Information
Markov dualities via the spectral decompositions of the two Markov generators in their bi-orthogonal basis of right and left eigenvectors
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
The notion of Markov duality between two Markov processes that can live in two different configurations spaces $ (x,{\tilde x})$ is revisited via the spectral decompositions of the two Markov generators in their bi-orthogonal basis of right and left eigenvectors. In this formulation, the two generators should have the same eigenvalues $ (-E)$ that may be complex, while the duality function $ \Omega(x,{\tilde x})$ can be considered as a mapping between the right and the left eigenvectors of the two models. We describe how this spectral perspective is useful to better understand two well-known dualities between processes defined in the same configuration space: the Time-Reversal duality corresponds to an exchange between the right and the left eigenvectors that involves the steady state, while in the Siegmund duality, the left eigenvectors correspond to integrals of the dual right eigenvectors. We then focus on the famous Moment-Duality between the Wright-Fisher diffusion on the interval $ x \in [0,1] $ and the Kingman Markov jump process on the semi-infinite lattice $ n \in {\mathbb N}$ in order to analyze the relations between their eigenvectors living in two different configuration spaces. Finally, we discuss how the spectral perspective can be used to construct new dualities and we give an example for the case of non-degenerate real eigenvalues, where one can always construct a dual Directed Jump process on the semi-infinite lattice $ n \in {\mathbb N}$ , whose transitions rates are the opposite-eigenvalues.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Probability (math.PR)
20pages
Internal dynamics and dielectric screening of confined multiexciton states
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Josep Planelles, Juan I. Climente, Jose L. Movilla
Recent experimental and computational studies suggest that biexcitons (BX) confined in large CsPbBr$ _3$ nanocrystals experience reduced dielectric screening as compared to excitons (X) and trions (X$ ^\ast$ ). Here we provide a physical rationale to explain such a behavior. A characteristic frequency is introduced, which describes the internal dynamics of an exciton within the excitonic complex. By means of effective mass–variational Quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we show that, in large nanocrystals, the frequency is similar for X and X$ ^\ast$ , but smaller for BX. Because the frequencies exceed that of the bulk longitudinal optical phonon, this leads to a reduced dielectric constant for BX, which is in contrast with the behavior of strongly confined nanocrystals.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
Near transform-limited single photons from rapid-thermal annealed quantum dots
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Hendrik Mannel, Fabio Rimek, Marcel Zoellner, Nico Schwarz, Andreas D. Wieck, Nikolai Bart, Arne Ludwig, Martin Geller
Single-photon emitters are essential components for quantum communication systems, enabling applications such as secure quantum key distribution and the long-term vision of a quantum internet. Among various candidates, self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) remain highly promising due to their ability to emit coherent and indistinguishable photons, as well as their compatibility with photonic integration. In this work, we investigate the impact of post-growth rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on the quantum optical properties of single self-assembled QDs embedded in a p-i-n diode structure. The annealing process induces a controlled blueshift of the emission wavelength by promoting Ga in-diffusion and intermixing. Using resonance fluorescence measurements at cryogenic temperatures (4.2 K), we investigate the single-photon statistics, the emission linewidths, and coherence time $ T_2$ of the emitted photons. Our results show that, despite the high annealing temperature of $ 760^\circ$ C, the process does not degrade the optical quality of the quantum dots strongly. Instead, we observe single-photon emission with near transform-limited linewidths, where the dephasing time $ T_2$ is only a factor 1.5 above the Fourier-limit $ T_2=2T_1$ . These findings demonstrate that rapid thermal annealing (RTA) serves as an effective tuning method that preserves the key single-photon emission properties and may help reduce undesirable effects such as non-radiative Auger recombination in quantum photonic applications.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
Hidden fully-compensated ferrimagnetism
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Incorporating zero-net-magnetization magnets that exhibit spin-splitting into spintronics delivers key advantages: faster switching dynamics, greater immunity to destabilizing fields, lower power consumption, and markedly improved overall efficiency. The collinear magnets with net-zero magnetization and spin-splitting mainly include altermagnet and fully-compensated ferrimagnet, which provide possibility to achieve hidden spin polarization (HSP) with net-zero spin polarization in total but non-zero local spin polarization. In addition to proposal of hidden altermagnetism, we hereby introduce this concept of hidden fully-compensated ferrimagnetism, where the total spin polarization is zero, but either of the two inversion-partner sectors possesses fully-compensated ferrimagnetism with non-zero local spin polarization in the real space. By the first-principle calculations, we predict that $ PT$ -bilayer $ \mathrm{CrMoC_2S_6}$ is a possible hidden fully-compensated ferrimagnet, showing fully-compensated ferrimagnetic HSP, which can be separated and observed by an out-of-plane external electric field. Our works provide a class of hidden spin-polarized materials that facilitates the advancement of spintronics.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
6 pages, 7 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2411.13795
Topologically nontrivial multicritical points
New Submission | Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Ranjith R Kumar, Pasquale Marra
Recently, the intriguing interplay between topology and quantum criticality has been unveiled in one-dimensional topological chains with extended nearest-neighbor couplings. In these systems, topologically distinct critical phases emerge with localized edge modes despite the vanishing bulk gap. In this work, we study the topological multicritical points at which distinct gapped and critical phases intersect. Specifically, we consider a topological chain with coupling up to the third nearest neighbors, which shows stable localized edge modes at the multicritical points. These points possess only nontrivial gapped and critical phases around them and are also characterized by the quadratic dispersion around the gap-closing points. We characterize the topological multicritical points in terms of the topological invariant obtained from the zeros of the complex function associated with the Hamiltonian. Further, we analyze the nature of zeros in the vicinity of the multicritical points by calculating the discriminants of the associated polynomial. The discriminant uniquely identifies the topological multicritical points and distinguishes them from the trivial ones. We finally study the robustness of the zero-energy modes at the multicritical points at weak disorder strengths, and reveal the presence of a topologically nontrivial gapless Anderson-localized phase at strong disorder strengths.
Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
12 pages, 13 figures
Reviving the Search for Indium-Based Superconductors: Theoretical Prediction of Semimetallic Superconductivity in Cubic Nd$_3$In
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Arafat Rahman, Alamgir Kabir, Tareq Mahmud
The quest for materials that simultaneously exhibit superconductivity and non trivial topology has drawn significant attention in recent years, driven by their potential to host exotic quantum states. Their unique coexistence often leads to rich physics and potential applications in quantum technologies. Here, we predict cubic Nd$ _3$ In as an exceptional candidate in this class, combining strong-coupling superconductivity with distinctive topological features. Using first-principles calculations, we find that the strong-coupling superconductivity in Nd$ _3$ In arises primarily due to pronounced Fermi surface nesting, leading to an electron-phonon coupling constant of $ \lambda = 1.39$ . Our fully anisotropic Migdal–Eliashberg analysis yields a superconducting transition temperature $ T_c \approx 14$ K at ambient pressure, increasing to 18 K under 15 GPa. Beyond superconductivity, Nd$ _3$ In is found to be a Weyl semimetal, as evidenced by the presence of Fermi arcs and nontrivial $ \mathbb{Z}_2$ topological invariants, confirming its topological nature. The combination of strong-coupling superconductivity and nontrivial topological states makes Nd$ _3$ In a promising candidate for quantum transport and topological quantum computation.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Quantum phase transition driven by competing intralayer and interlayer hopping of Ni-$d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbitals in bilayer nickelates
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Xiaoyu Zhu, Wei Qin, Ping Cui, Zhenyu Zhang
Bilayer nickelates exhibit high-temperature superconductivity under proper hydrostatic pressure or epitaxial strain, signifying the emergence of quantum phase transitions whose physical mechanisms remain unclear. Using a minimal bilayer Hubbard model incorporating only the essential Ni-$ d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbitals, we demonstrate that a phase transition naturally arises from tuning the ratio of intralayer to interlayer hopping amplitudes. The transition point separates regimes with a rich interplay between superconducting and density-wave orders. In the regime with weaker intralayer hopping, quasi-long-range spin-density-wave and pair-density-wave orders coexist, with the former being dominant. Across the transition, the spin-density-wave order becomes short-ranged, accompanied by the emergence of the quasi-long-range charge-density-wave order. Most significantly, superconductivity is dramatically enhanced in this regime, though it no longer exhibits the pair-density-wave signature. This quantum phase transition, driven by the competition between intralayer and interlayer hopping, provides a plausible microscopic explanation for the experimentally observed correlation between the superconducting transition temperature and ratio of out-of-plane to in-plane lattice constants. Our findings may assist future efforts in optimizing experimental conditions to further enhance superconductivity in bilayer nickelates.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
8 + 3 pages, 4 + 4 figures
Dipole-Induced Transition in 3-Dimensions
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Itamar Procaccia, Tuhin Samanta
The Kosterlitz-Thouless and the Hexatic phase transitions are celebrated examples of dipole (vortex, dislocation) induced transitions in condensed matter physics. For very clear reasons, these important topological" transitions are restricted to 2-dimensions. Here we present a genuine dipole-induced transition in the 3-dimensional response of (athermal) amorphous solids to applied strain. Similarly to the existence of a hexatic phase between normal solid and fluid, we identify an intermediate phase between a phase of normal elastic response at high pressure, and fluid matter at zero pressure. The mechanical response in the intermediate phase is accompanied by plasticity that is generically associated with non-affine” quadrupolar events seen in the resulting displacement field. Gradients of the quadrupolar fields act as dipole charges that screen elasticity, breaking both translational and Chiral symmetries. We highlight {\em angular} correlations that exhibit diverging correlation lengths at this transition and determine the critical scaling exponents.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
7 Pages, 6 Figures
Significant electron-magnon scattering in layered ferromagnet Cr$_2$Te$_3$
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Yujun Wang, Shunzhen Wang, Masashi Kawaguchi, Jun Uzuhashi, Akhilesh Kumar Patel, Kenji Nawa, Yuya Sakuraba, Tadakatsu Ohkubo, Hiroshi Kohno, Masamitsu Hayashi
A layered ferromagnet Cr$ _2$ Te$ _3$ is attracting growing interest because of its unique electronic and magnetic properties. Studies have shown that it exhibits sizable anomalous Hall effect (AHE) that changes sign with temperature. The origin of the AHE and the sign change, however, remains elusive. Here we show experimentally that electron-magnon scattering significantly contributes to the AHE in Cr$ _2$ Te$ _3$ through magnon induced skew scattering, and that the sign change is caused by the competition with the Berry-curvature or impurity-induced side-jump contribution. The electron-magnon skew scattering is expected to arise from the exchange interaction between the itinerant Te $ p$ -electrons and the localized Cr $ d$ -electrons modified by the strong spin-orbit coupling on Te. These results suggest that the magnon-induced skew scattering can dominate the AHE in layered ferromagnets with heavy elements.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Comm. Phys. 8, 262 (2025)
Wallpaper Group-Based Mechanical Metamaterials: Dataset Including Mechanical Responses
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Fleur Hendriks, Vlado Menkovski, Martin Doškář, Marc G.D. Geers, Kevin Verbeek, Ondřej Rokoš
Mechanical metamaterials often exhibit pattern transformations through instabilities, enabling applications in, e.g., soft robotics, sound reduction, and biomedicine. These transformations and their resulting mechanical properties are closely tied to the symmetries in these metamaterials’ microstructures, which remain under-explored. Designing such materials is challenging due to the unbounded design space, and while machine learning offers promising tools, they require extensive training data. Here, we present a large dataset of 2D microstructures and their macroscopic mechanical responses in the hyperelastic, finite-strain regime, including buckling. The microstructures are generated using a novel method, which covers all 17 wallpaper symmetry groups and employs Bézier curves for a rich parametric space. Mechanical responses are obtained through finite element-based computational homogenization. The dataset includes 1,020 distinct geometries, each subjected to 12 loading trajectories, totaling 12,240 trajectories. Our dataset supports the development and benchmarking of surrogate models, facilitates the study of symmetry-property relationships, and enables investigations into symmetry-breaking during pattern transformations, potentially revealing emergent behavior in mechanical metamaterials.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)
25 pages, 13 Figures, data descriptor, dataset available here: this https URL. Submitted to Nature Scientific Data
First-passage statistics of random walks: a general approach via Riemann-Hilbert problems
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Mattia Radice, Giampaolo Cristadoro
We study first-passage statistics for one-dimensional random walks $ S_n$ with independent and identically distributed jumps starting from the origin. We focus on the joint distribution of the first-passage time $ \tau_b$ and first-passage position $ S_{\tau_b}$ beyond a threshold $ b\geq0$ , as well as the distribution of $ S_n$ for the walks that do not cross $ b$ up to step $ n$ . By solving suitable Riemann-Hilbert problems, we are able to obtain exact and semi-explicit general formulae for the quantities of interest. Notably, such formulae are written solely in terms of the characteristic function of the jumps. In contrast with previous results, our approach is universally valid, applicable to both continuous and discrete, symmetric and asymmetric jump distributions. We complement our theoretical findings with explicit examples.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
40 pages, 5 figures
Field-induced spin continuum in twin-free Na$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$ revealed by magneto-THz spectroscopy
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Rongsheng Li, Liyu Shi, Yuchen Gu, Yue Chen, Xintong Li, Qiong Wu, Shuxiang Xu, Dong Wu, Yuan Li, Fa Wang, Tao Dong, Nanlin Wang
The honeycomb magnet Na$ _3$ Co$ _2$ SbO$ _6$ recently emerged as a promising candidate for realizing Kitaev quantum spin liquid with relatively low levels of structural disorder. While the precise spin Hamiltonian remains controversial, the potential existence of a quantum spin liquid or other novel quantum magnetic phases continues to stimulate investigation. Here, we study the temperature and magnetic field-dependent spin excitations of Na$ _3$ Co$ _2$ SbO$ _6$ on a twin-free single crystal using magneto-terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, focusing on magnetic anisotropy and field-induced unusual phases. We observe a low-energy continuum excitation above $ T_N$ and a 0.5 THz (2 meV) spin wave excitation in magnetic order under zero field. Upon applying an in-plane magnetic field, the spin waves transform to a magnetic continuum over an intermediate field range, above which the system enters a spin-polarized state. Crucially, the spin excitation spectra reveal striking anisotropy between the $ \textbf{a}$ and $ \textbf{b}$ crystallographic axes, demanding description by a strongly anisotropic spin model. These findings establish Na$ _3$ Co$ _2$ SbO$ _6$ as a model system for investigating field-tunable quantum magnetism and potential spin liquid behavior in highly anisotropic systems.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
Quantum fluctuations in two-dimensional altermagnets
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Niklas Cichutek, Peter Kopietz, Andreas Rückriegel
The magnetic properties of two-dimensional altermagnets can be obtained from a square lattice Heisenberg model with antiferromagetic nearest neighbor interaction and two types of next-nearest neighbor interactions arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Using nonlinear spin-wave theory we calculate for this model the corrections to the renormalized magnon spectrum and the staggered magnetization to first order in the inverse spin quantum number $ 1/S$ . We also show that to order $ 1/S^2$ the ground state energy is not sensitive to the component of the interaction which is responsible for altermagnetism. At the $ \Gamma$ -point the $ 1/S$ -correction to the magnon dispersion vanishes so that quantum fluctuations do not induce a gap in the magnon spectrum of altermagnets, as expected by Goldstone’s theorem. We extract the leading $ 1/S$ -corrections to the spin-wave velocity and the effective mass characterizing the curvature of the magnon dispersion in altermagnets.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
13 pages, 5 figures
Suppression of capillary instability in a confined quantum liquid filament
New Submission | Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Francesco Ancilotto, Michele Modugno, Chiara Fort
Quantum Bose-Bose mixtures with strong attraction can form self-bound, liquid-like droplets stabilized by quantum fluctuations. Despite equilibrium densities much lower than those of classical liquids, these droplets exhibit finite surface tension and liquid-like behaviors. Recent experiments have demonstrated Rayleigh-Plateau instability in elongated droplets confined in an optical waveguide. Here we consider the case of an infinite filament and extend the theoretical description to include transverse harmonic confinement. By solving the Bogoliubov-deGennes equations within a single-component framework, benchmarked against full Gross-Pitaevskii simulations, we show that increasing confinement progressively suppresses the instability, leading to complete stabilization beyond a critical trap frequency.
Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas)
10 pages, 8 figures
Magneto-elastic softening in cold-sprayed polycrystalline nickel studied by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Michaela Janovská (1), Petr Sedlák (1), Martin Ševčík (1), Jan Cizek (2,3), Jan Kondas (4), Reeti Singh (4), Jan Čupera (5), Hanuš Seiner (1) ((1) Institute of Thermomechanics, Czech Acad Sci, Prague, Czechia, (2) Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Acad Sci, Prague, Czechia, (3) Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia (4) Impact Innovations GmbH, Rattenkirchen, Germany, (5) Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Czechia)
Cold-sprayed metallic deposits are additively manufactured materials containing high levels of compressive residual stress. Here we show that the presence and intensity of this stress can be analyzed using laser-ultrasonics, provided that the sprayed material is ferromagnetic and magnetostrictive, as in the case of pure nickel. Contactless resonant ultrasound spectroscopy is used to monitor the evolution of shear modulus and internal friction parameter of two polycrystalline Ni deposits with temperature over the Curie point, which enables a direct assessment of the strength of magneto-elastic softening that is known to be strongly stress-dependent. In addition, the proposed methodology is also shown to be suitable for in-situ observation of the recrystallization process in the vicinity of the Curie point, as well as inspecting the homogeneity of the residual stress level across the thickness of the cold-sprayed deposit. Finally, a methodology for room-temperature probing of the magnetoelastic coupling is proposed and tested on the examined materials.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Manuscript accepted to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Diagnosing phase transitions through time scale entanglement
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Stefan Rohshap, Hirone Ishida, Frederic Bippus, Anna Kauch, Karsten Held, Hiroshi Shinaoka, Markus Wallerberger
We propose a new method based on the compression of arbitrary multi-point correlators into quantics tensor trains and studying its so called bond dimension as an indicator of time scale entanglement in the system. This quantics tensor train diagnostics approach allows us to i) identify quantum phase transitions (ground state crossings) and thermal crossovers, ii) distinguish between these two by allowing flexibility through iii) using arbitrary available correlators and iv) the possibility to deal with low-accuracy input data through varying the quantics tensor train cutoffs. We verify the validity of the approach by studying the phase diagram of the Hubbard dimer, the four-site Hubbard ring with and without next-nearest neighbor hopping and the single-impurity Anderson model. We find time scale entanglement to be a system-inherent property becoming maximal at phase transitions and crossover, which translates to peaks in the quantics tensor train bond dimension of correlator functions. Additionally, the connection of the method to other physical quantities, such as various entanglement measures and susceptibilities, is shown.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)
Sub-microsecond electric switching of large birefringence in the isotropic phase of ferroelectric nematics
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Kamal Thapa, Sathyanarayana Paladugu, Oleg D. Lavrentovich
Conventional nonpolar nematic liquid crystals, widely known for their successful display applications, are not well-suited for fast electro-optical switching because of the slow (milliseconds) field-off relaxation of the director. In this work, we demonstrate sub-microsecond field-on and field-off switching of a large (~0.1) birefringence by applying a moderate electric field (30-100) V/{\mu}m, to an isotropic film of a ferroelectric nematic material. This highly efficient electro-optical switching is rooted in the recently discovered field-induced isotropic to ferroelectric nematic phase transition [J. Szydlowska et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 216802 (2023)]. The demonstrated sub-microsecond switching of ferroelectric birefringence induced by field (FBIF) has the potential for applications in fast-switching electro-optic devices, such as phase modulators, light shutters, beam steerers, switchable optical compensators.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Optics (physics.optics)
15 pages, 8 figures
Diverse polymorphism in Ruddlesden-Popper chalcogenides
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Prakriti Kayastha, Erik Fransson, Paul Erhart, Lucy Whalley
Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) chalcogenides are stable, non-toxic candidates for optoelectronic or thermoelectric applications. The structural diversity of RP oxides is already exploited to tune properties or achieve more advanced functionalities like multiferroicity, however, little is known about the structural evolution of RP chalcogenides. In this work, we develop a high-accuracy machine-learned interatomic potential to run large-scale molecular dynamics simulations on $ Ba_{n+1}Zr_nS_{3n+1}$ for $ n=1$ to $ n=6$ . We predict new polymorphs for each $ n$ -value, calculate their corresponding phase transition temperatures, and validate our approach through comparison to published experimental results. We find that the $ n=1$ phase exhibits negative thermal expansion, that $ n=1$ and $ n=3$ undergo unusual ascending symmetry breaking, and that phases with $ n\geq4$ form layer-dependent tilt patterns previously unreported for inorganic RP materials. This unique behaviour results from competition between octahedral rotations and rumpling at the rocksalt interface, and suggests new strategies for accessing advanced functionalities.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)
Optimized Synthesis and Device Integration of Long 17-Atom-Wide Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Jeong Ha Hwang, Nicolò Bassi, Mayada Fadel, Oliver Braun, Tim Dumslaff, Carlo Pignedoli, Michael Stiefel, Roman Furrer, Hironobu Hayashi, Hiroko Yamada, Akimitsu Narita, Klaus Müllen, Michel Calame, Mickael L. Perrin, Roman Fasel, Pascal Ruffieux, Vincent Meunier, Gabriela Borin Barin
Seventeen-carbon-atom-wide armchair graphene nanoribbons (17-AGNRs) are promising candidates for high-performance electronic devices due to their narrow electronic bandgap. Atomic precision in edge structure and width control is achieved through a bottom-up on-surface synthesis (OSS) approach from tailored molecular precursors in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). This synthetic protocol must be optimized to meet the structural requirements for device integration, with ribbon length being the most critical parameter. Here, we report optimized OSS conditions that produce 17-AGNRs with an average length of approximately 17 nm. This length enhancement is achieved through a gradual temperature ramping during an extended annealing period, combined with a template-like effect driven by monomer assembly at high surface coverage. The resulting 17-AGNRs are comprehensively characterized in UHV using scanning probe techniques and Raman spectroscopy. Raman measurements following substrate transfer enabled the characterization of the length distribution of GNRs on the device substrate and confirmed their stability under ambient conditions and harsh chemical environments, including acid vapors and etchants. The increased length and ambient stability of the 17-AGNRs lead to their reliable integration into device architectures. As a proof of concept, we integrate 17-AGNRs into field-effect transistors (FET) with graphene electrodes and confirm that electronic transport occurs through the GNRs. This work demonstrates the feasibility of integrating narrow-bandgap GNRs into functional devices and contributes to advancing the development of carbon-based nanoelectronics.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Localization Transition for Interacting Quantum Particles in Colored-Noise Disorder
New Submission | Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Giacomo Morpurgo, Laurent Sanchez-Palencia, Thierry Giamarchi
We investigate the localization transition of interacting particles in a one-dimensional correlated disorder system. The disorder which we investigate allows for vanishing backwards scattering processes. We derive by two renormalization group procedures its phase diagram and predict that the localization transition point is shifted from finite attractive interaction to the non-interacting point. We finally show numerically that the scaling of the localization length with the disorder strength deviates from the usual scaling of a localized phase.
Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn), Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas)
6 + 5 pages, 4 + 2 figures
A supramolecular ferroelectric with two sublattices and polarization dependent conductivity
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
H. Mager, M. Litterst, Sophia Klubertz, S.V. Haridas, O. Shyshov, M. von Delius, M. Kemerink
The possibility to combine and finetune properties of functional molecular materials by chemical design is particularly relevant for organic ferroelectrics. In this work, we investigate a class of organic molecular materials that show long-range supramolecular organization into fibrillar bundles. In solid state, the material shows ferroelectric behavior resulting from two largely independent dipolar moieties that show up as two separate coercive fields in polarization-hysteresis and capacitance-voltage curves. Moreover, the material shows a long-range electronic conductivity that arises due to oxidation at the positive electrode, followed by electron transfer between neighboring molecules. We find that this conductivity is modulated by the direction and degree of ferroelectric polarization, which we interpret in terms of injection barrier modulation at low electric fields and a recently developed framework for asymmetric polaron hopping at high fields. With two distinct, partially independent dipolar moieties offering the possibility to use ferroelectric properties to modulate conductance, the materials presented herein are a promising basis for multifunctional materials.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
$β$-FPUT chains under time-periodic forcing
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Shiva Darshan, Alessandra Iacobucci, Stefano Olla, Gabriel Stoltz
Recent works proved a hydrodynamic limit for periodically forced atom chains with harmonic interaction and pinning, together with momentum flip. When energy is the only conserved quantity, one would expect similar results in the anharmonic case, as conjectured for the temperature profile and energy flux. However, outside the harmonic case, explicit computations are generally no longer possible, thus making a rigorous proof of this hydrodynamic limit difficult. Consequently, we numerically investigate the plausibility of this limit for the particular case of a chain with $ \beta$ -FPUT interactions and harmonic pinning. We present our simulation results suggesting that the conjectured PDE for the limiting temperature profile and Green–Kubo type formula for the limiting energy current conjectured are correct. We then use this Green–Kubo type formula to investigate the relationship between the energy current and period of the forcing. This relationship is investigated in the case of significant rate of momentum flip, small rate of momentum flip and no momentum flip. We compare the relationship observed in the anharmonic case to that of the harmonic case for which explicit formulae are available.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
38 pages, 28 figures, 10 tables
Coulomb blockade thermometry based nanocalorimetry
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Mari C. Cole, Maximilian T. Pelly, Craig V. Topping, Thomas Reindl, Ulrike Waizmann, Jürgan Weis, Andreas W. Rost
Specific heat is a powerful probe offering insights into the entropy and excitation spectrum of the studied material. While it is well established, a key challenge remains the measurements of microcrystals or thin films especially in the sub-Kelvin, high magnetic field regime. Here we present a setup combining the high sensitivity of SiN$ _x$ membrane based calorimetry with the absolute accuracy of Coulomb blockade thermometry to realise a nanocalorimeter for such tasks. The magnetic field independent technique of Coulomb blockade thermometry provides an on-platform thermometer combining a primary thermometry mode for in-situ calibration with a fast secondary mode suitable for specific heat measurements. The setup is validated using measurements of a 20 $ \mu$ g sample of Sr$ _3$ Ru$ _2$ O$ _7$ achieving a resolution on the order of 0.1 nJ/K at 500 mK and an absolute accuracy limited by the determination of the sample’s mass. Measurements of CeRh$ _2$ As$ _2$ further highlight the benefits of measuring microcrystals with such a device.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con)
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 July 2025; 96 (7): 073903
Channel Formation Enhances Target Consumption by Chemotactic Active Brownian Particles
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Vladimir Yu. Rudyak, Shahar Shinehorn, Yael Roichman
In many situations, simply finding a target during a search is not enough. It is equally important to be able to return to that target repeatedly or to enable a larger community to locate and utilize it. While first passage time is commonly used to measure search success, relatively little is known about increasing the average rate of target encounters over time. Here, using an active Brownian particle model with chemotaxis, we demonstrate that when a searcher has no memory and there is no communication among multiple searchers, encoding information about the target’s location in the environment outperforms purely memoryless strategies by boosting the overall hit rate. We further show that this approach reduces the impact of target size on a successful search and increases the total utilization time of the target.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
Unveiling Zn incorporation in CuInS$_2$ quantum dots: X-ray and optical analysis of doping effects, structural modifications and surface passivation
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Andrés Burgos-Caminal, Brener R. C. Vale, André F. V. Fonseca, Juan F. Hidalgo, Elisa P. P. Collet, Lázaro García, Víctor Vega-Mayoral, Saül Garcia-Orrit, Iciar Arnay, Juan Cabanillas-González, Laura Simonelli, Ana Flávia Nogueira, Marco Antônio Schiavon, Thomas J. Penfold, Lazaro A. Padilha, Wojciech Gawelda
Quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique properties arising from their reduced size and quantum confinement effects, including exceptionally bright and tunable photoluminescence. Among these, CuInS$ _{2}$ QDs have gained significant attention owing to their remarkable broadband emission, making them highly desirable for various optoelectronic applications requiring efficient luminescent nanomaterials. However, maximizing radiative recombination in CuInS$ _{2}$ QDs often necessitates minimizing intragap trap states. A common approach involves the introduction of Zn during the synthesis, which typically promotes the formation of a ZnS shell that passivates the QD surface.
Despite its importance, the characterization and quantification of Zn incorporation using conventional techniques, such as optical spectroscopy or electron microscopy, remains challenging. In this study, we utilized X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in both X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectral ranges, to investigate Zn incorporation into CuInS$ _{2}$ QDs with element-specific precision. This approach allowed us to detect the formation of a ZnS surface shell and to resolve the spatial distribution of Zn atoms within the QD lattice, distinguishing between Zn as a substituent, or as an interstitial defect.
Additionally, we explored the optical and dynamical properties of CuInS$ _{2}$ QDs using time-resolved optical spectroscopies, particularly in the presence of electron and hole acceptors. These results provide deeper insights into the role and effectiveness of the Zn-induced passivating layer, paving the way for optimizing QD performance in photoluminescence applications.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)
arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2412.15418
Diverse high-Chern-number quantum anomalous Hall insulators in twisted rhombohedral graphene
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Naitian Liu, Zhangyuan Chen, Jing Ding, Wenqiang Zhou, Hanxiao Xiang, Xinjie Fang, Linfeng Wu, Xiaowan Zhan, Le Zhang, Qianmei Chen, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Na Xin, Shuigang Xu
Quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators with high Chern number (C) enables multiple dissipationless edge channels for low-power-consumption electronics. We report the realization of multiple high-C QAH insulators including C=3,5,6, and 7 in twisted monolayer-rhombohedral pentalayer graphene. In twist angles of approximately 1.40°, we observe QAH effect with C=5 at a filling of one electron per moiré unit cell, persisting up to 2 Kelvin. Furthermore, incommensurate QAH insulators with C=5,6, and 7 emerge at partial fillings. In twist angles of 0.89°, Chern insulators with C=3 and C=6 appear at fillings of two and three electrons, respectively. Our findings establish twisted rhombohedral multilayer graphene as a highly tunable platform for multichannel, dissipationless electronics and for the exploration of exotic quantum Hall states beyond traditional Landau level paradigm.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
Geometric Criticality in Scale-Invariant Networks
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Lorenzo Lucarini, Giulio Cimini, Pablo Villegas
Dimension in physical systems determines universal properties at criticality. Yet, the impact of structural perturbations on dimensionality remains largely unexplored. Here, we characterize the attraction basins of structural fixed points in scale-invariant networks from a renormalization group perspective, demonstrating that basin stability connects to a structural phase transition. This topology-dependent effect, which we term geometric criticality, triggers a geometric breakdown hereto unknown, which induces non-trivial fractal dimensions and unveils hidden flows toward unstable structural fixed points. Our systematic study of how networks and lattices respond to disorder paves the way for future analysis of non-ergodic behavior induced by quenched disorder.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn), Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO), Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph)
5 pages, 3 figures and Supplemental Material
Odd-even parity dependent transport in an annular Kitaev chain
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Wei Wang, Zhen-Gang Zhu, Gang Su
We investigate the impact of magnetic flux and the odd-even parity of lattice points $ N$ on electron transport in an annular Kitaev chain, with an explanation provided from the energy band perspective. Three transport mechanisms including direct transmission (DT), local Andreev reflection (LAR) and crossed Andreev reflection (CAR) are considered. In particular, the connection configuration of electrodes to different lattice sites is studied, where the case that the two electrodes connected to the sites are aligned along a diameter is called as symmetric connection and otherwise as asymmetric connections. For even $ N$ and asymmetric connection, the vanished LAR and CAR in symmetric connection will emerge as peaks. A more prominent observation is that the symmetry of the two resonant peaks due to DT processes located at $ \phi = \pi/3$ and $ \phi = 2\pi/3$ for symmetric connection will be broken, and the peak at $ \phi = \pi/3$ will be largely reduced, where $ \phi$ is the magnetic flux per site. Moreover, the peaks around $ \phi = \pi/3$ due to LAR and CAR processes grows drastically even larger than that from DT. For LAR and CAR processes, there is no peak around $ \phi = 2\pi/3$ and transmission due to these two processes are completely suppressed for $ \phi>\pi/2$ . Moreover, it is found that the energy bands vary with $ \phi$ in a period of $ \pi$ and $ 2\pi$ for even or odd $ N$ . These behaviors reflect a complicated competition from DT, LAR and CAR processes and the parity of the lattice number in the Kitaev ring, which will be interested for the quantum device based on Kitaev chain.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con)
Implementation of the magnetic force theorem for large-scale calculations of magnon bands: application to yttrium iron garnet
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Thorbjørn Skovhus, Varun Rajeev Pavizhakumari, Thomas Olsen
We present an efficient implementation of the magnetic force theorem which allows for direct evaluation of exchange parameters in q-space. The exchange parameters are calculated directly from Bloch states and the implementation does not rely on any mapping onto localized orbitals. This renders the approach well suited for high-throughput computations, where the construction of a localized basis set (for example Wannier functions) often is impractical. We demonstrate the versatility of the method by applying it to yttrium iron garnet, where we obtain excellent agreement with the experimental magnon dispersion without any prior assumptions of important exchange pathways. In particular, the calculations reveal the existence of several inequivalent exchange pathways associated with the same interatomic distances. Performing such calculations in q-space fully accounts for long-range exchange interactions and provides a convenient route for validating models obtained by fitting to inelastic neutron scattering data.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
14 pages, 4 figures, 1 table
Magnetic ground state and persistent spin fluctuations in triangular-lattice antiferromagnet NdZnAl${11}$O${19}$
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Yantao Cao, Huanpeng Bu, Toni Shiroka, Helen C. Walker, Zhendong Fu, Zhaoming Tian, Jinkui Zhao, Hanjie Guo
Rare-earth triangular-lattice magnets serve as an excellent platform for investigating exotic quantum magnetic phenomena. Recently, the hexaaluminate \cmao\ has been proposed to host a $ U(1)$ Dirac quantum spin liquid state with dominant Ising anisotropy. Here, we report a systematic study of its analogue, \nzao, employing ac susceptibility, inelastic neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation measurements. Inelastic neutron scattering measurements establish a well-defined $ J_\mathrm{eff}$ = 1/2 ground state with moderate Ising anisotropy ($ g_c$ = 4.54, $ g_\mathrm{ab}$ = 1.42). Muon spin relaxation measurements reveal persistent fluctuations emerging below $ \sim$ 15,K, and extending down to at least 0.28 K. AC susceptibility data further indicate an absence of magnetic ordering or spin freezing down to 50,mK, despite an overall antiferromagnetic interaction with the Curie-Weiss temprature of $ -0.42$ ,K. These results suggest that \nzao\ is a good candidate material for realizing a quantum spin liquid state.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
8 figures including the Supplementary Materials
Large ferromagnetic-like band splitting in ultrathin ${\mathrm{SmC}}_{6}$ films
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Hao Zheng, Yifu Xu, Guowei Yang, Ze Pan, Yi Wu, Yuan Zheng, Tulai Sun, Jiefeng Cao, Yi-feng Yang, Ming Shi, Chao Cao, Yang Liu
Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials provide a unique platform for exploring quantum phases from magnetic order in reduced dimensions. While there have been extensive studies on 2D magnetic materials based on 3$ d$ electrons, experimental studies on 4$ f$ -electron counterparts are far fewer, particularly on their electronic structure. In this study, we report the successful synthesis of ultrathin $ {\mathrm{SmC}}_{6}$ films using molecular beam epitaxy. Utilizing in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we uncover a large band splitting in the valence bands, which we attribute to the ferromagnetic order driven by exchange couplings between Sm 4$ f$ moments and conduction electrons. Despite the small magnetic moment of Sm, the observed splitting is comparable to those of Eu- and Gd-based systems with much larger local moments. Interestingly, the surface state also exhibits splitting with similar magnitude and can be eliminated by overannealing, while the valence bands with ferromagnetic-like splittings remain robust. Our work provides spectroscopic insight to understand the electronic origin of magnetic order in Sm-based compounds. Our study also offers a platform to study 2D magnetic materials based on 4$ f$ electrons.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
8 pages, 5 figures
Phys. Rev. B 112, 035139 (2025)
Transverse Spin Supercurrent at p-wave magnetic Josephson Junctions
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
We theoretically study a Josephson junction consisting of s-wave superconductors and a p-wave magnet. We find that in the presence of a strength vector of p-wave magnet, the electrons’ and holes’ dispersion relation shifts in the k-space. Additionally, we demonstrate that the perpendicular component of the strength vector converts Andreev bound states into Andreev modes that can propagate along the junction’s interfaces. These modes create a transverse spin supercurrent while their transverse charge supercurrent is zero. These features open an opportunity to design superconducting spintronics devices.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
6 pages, 5 figures
Volcano-Like Ferroic Transitions Deviating from the Model of Landau Theory
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
We predict the existence of abnormal volcano-like temperature dependence of polarization or magnetization with maxima located at elevated temperature, distinct from classical model based on Landau theory. One case is ferroelectricity with long ion displacements and quantized polarizations that cannot be used for expansion in Landau model, and the switching pathway involves various metastable phases where the polar phase is higher both in energy and entropy compared with non-polar phase. Another case is compensated antiferromagnets with two opposite spin lattices of different spin exchange constants. Such difference can be utilized for a unique type of temperature differentiated multiferroicity, where large magnetizations can be reversed upon ferroelectric switching between two Curie temperature with alternating half of spins in paramagnetic state. We demonstrate these proposals by first-principles calculations on several paradigmatic systems, including magnetic bilayers intercalated by Ag ions or metal molecules.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
Revisiting the Influence of Sn in Cu-Al alloys: A Third Element Effect Enabling Stainless Steel Type Aqueous Passivation Behavior
New Submission | Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Debashish Sur, Nathan C. Smith, Elaf A. Anber, Kaitlyn L. Anderson, Peter F. Connors, Daniel Foley, Mitra L. Taheri, Junsoo Han, Christopher M. Wolverton, John R. Scully
The influence of Sn alloying additions on the aqueous passivation behavior of Cu-Al alloys was revisited and found to function as a new third element effect in acidified 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution. The role of each element during the process of aqueous passivation was investigated using electrochemical and surface-sensitive ex-situ and in-operando spectroscopic techniques. The connection between passivation and the atomic arrangements of atoms in the solid solution was supported by first principles based cluster expansion calculations and Monte Carlo simulations probing the chemical short-range order in the Cu-Al-Sn system. High purity Sn, like high purity Cu, did not passivate in the test environment, whereas high purity Al formed a passive film with a stable passive current density of 0.01 mA/cm^2. Cu-xAl-Sn solid solution alloys where x greater than 18 at.%, containing less than 3 at.% Sn additions exhibited lower corrosion rates than Cu-xAl alloys, brought by Al(III) and Sn(IV, II) unidentified complex oxides formation on the surface. A strong influence of Sn on Al(III) passivation was observed, i.e., strongly suggesting a third element effect type behavior. Possible governing processes explaining the stainless steel type corrosion behavior are discussed, providing insights for exploring novel synergies in the design of corrosion resistant alloys.
Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
High-frequency surface acoustic waves: Generation with sub-optical wavelength metal gratings and detection at the exciton resonance
New Submission | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Olga Ken (1), Dmytro Horiachyi (1), Ilya Akimov (1), Vladimir Korenev (1), Vitalyi Gusev (2), Leonid Litvin (3), Michael Kahl (3), Arne Ludwig (4), Nikolai Spitzer (4), Andreas D. Wieck (4), Manfred Bayer (1 and 5) ((1) Experimentelle Physik 2, TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany, (2) Laboratoire dAcoustique de lUniversite du Mans, UMR CNRS 6613, Le Mans Universite, Le Mans, France, (3) Raith GmbH, Dortmund, Germany, (4) Lehrstuhl fuer Angewandte Festkoerperphysik, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, Bochum, Germany, (5) Research Center FEMS, TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany)
We demonstrate all-optical generation and detection of high-frequency (up to ~30 GHz) surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures with short-period Au gratings on top. We present a sensitive method of SAWs detection by means of a polarization-sensitive pump-probe technique that exploits the narrow exciton resonance in high-quality GaAs. The elastic strain of the SAW causes modulation of the exciton energy in the time domain. As a result, even a small deformation leads to a noticeable change in the dielectric function at the detection wavelength leading to an order of magnitude increase in the detection sensitivity as compared to detection apart from the resonance. A theoretical model is developed that considers two detection schemes: one accounting for probe light diffraction and one without.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
Effects of Small-Chain Superexchange Dynamics on Spin-Orbit Coupled Clock Spectroscopy
New Submission | Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Mikhail Mamaev, Ana Maria Rey, William R. Milner
Optical lattice clocks have set records in clock precision and accuracy. Continuing to advance their performance, via probing as many atoms for the longest interrogation time affordable, requires experimentally and theoretically studying a many-body lattice system. Motivated by recent experimental results on a Fermi-degenerate three-dimensional optical lattice clock, we present a theoretical overview of Ramsey and Rabi spectroscopy in one-dimensional chains. At realistic experimental temperatures and confinement conditions, atoms are spatially localized into small chains of $ \approx 1-5$ atoms. We show that in the presence of spin-orbit coupling induced by the clock laser, the spectroscopy observables are modified by superexchange interactions within each chain, and depend strongly on the length of the chain. The thermal distribution of chain lengths thus plays a key role in the spectroscopy measurements. Our results offer insight into observable many-body effects in state-of-the-art lattice clocks and suggest new directions for optimizing clock performance.
Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
10+5 pages, 4 figures
Effects of Epoxy Composition on the Thermal and Network Properties of Crosslinked Thermosets: A Molecular-Dynamics Study
New Submission | Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Venkata Rama Manoj Pola, Alexey Lyulin
In this study, we investigate the influence of resin composition on the thermal and structural properties of crosslinked epoxy networks using molecular-dynamics simulations. The systems studied are based on mixtures of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and butylated epoxy resin (BER), cured with diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA). A multi-step crosslinking algorithm was used to generate highly crosslinked networks. We systematically explored how the addition of BER affects the network topology and thermophysical behavior of the resulting thermosets.
Our results show that increasing BER content leads to a progressive loosening of the network, evidenced by longer inter-nitrogen path lengths and larger Voronoi atomic volumes. This structural loosening results in a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and higher atomic mobility as well as a reduction in the glass-transition temperature. To quantify local steric and topological effects, we introduce a confinement index that captures atomic-level crowding and connectivity. The index shows a strong correlation with the observed trend in glass-transition temperature, suggesting its potential as a predictive descriptor for polymer network behavior. Our findings provide molecular-level insights into how epoxy resin composition modulates network structure and thermomechanical properties.
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
Preprint submitted to arXiv, includes 28 pages, 33 references and 16 figures
Correlated electronic structure of high-temperature superconductor Ba$2$CuO${3+δ}$
New Submission | Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Jing-Xuan Wang, Rong-Qiang He, Zhong-Yi Lu
Cuprate superconductors have attracted extensive attention due to high critical temperatures. Conventional cuprates typically contain perfect CuO$ _2$ planes which are considered as a key factor to superconductivity since the superconductivity takes place in them. However, in Ba$ _2$ CuO$ _{3+\delta}$ with $ \delta=0.2$ and O-depleted CuO$ _2$ planes, superconductivity still arises even with a transition temperature as high as 73 K. Using combined density functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT) calculations, we investigated the electronic correlation and electronic structure of Ba$ _2$ CuO$ _{3.25}$ with alternating quasi-one-dimensional (1D) CuO planes and O-depleted CuO$ _2$ planes. We find that although different from the usual cuprates, the Cu atoms are still dominated by a 3$ d^9$ configuration and the system is of a new kind of correlated single-orbital physics. The quasi-1D CuO planes, composed of parallel Cu-O chains, are slightly hole-doped quasi-1D Mott insulator, while the O-depleted CuO$ _2$ planes are more hole doped, with a 2D correlated electronic structure, and may host superconductivity.
Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con), Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
8 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables
Timescales for stochastic barrier crossing: inferring the potential from nonequilibrium data
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
A. J. Archer, T. Ala-Nissila, T. J. W. Honour, S. P. Fitzgerald
Kramers’ rate theory forms a cornerstone for thermally activated barrier crossing. However, its reliance on equilibrium quantities excludes analysis of nonequilibrium dynamics at early times. Most works have thus focused on obtaining rates and transition time and path distributions in equilibrium. Instead, here we consider early-time nonequilibrium dynamics in a model system of a particle with overdamped dynamics hopping over the barrier in a double-well potential, using the Smoluchowski equation (SE) and stochastic path integral (SPI) mapping of the Langevin equation. We identify several key timescales relevant to nonequilibrium dynamics and quantify them using the SE and SPI approaches. The shortest timescale corresponds to equilibration in a well at time $ t \ll \tau_{\rm B}$ , where $ \tau_{\rm B}$ is the Brownian diffusion time. The second important timescale is when an inflexion point appears in the effective potential constructed from the density at $ t \lessapprox \tau_{\rm B}$ . Shortly after, the existence of a second potential well can be inferred from sufficient sampling of the dynamics. Interestingly, this timescale decreases with increasing barrier height. We find significant deviations from the equilibrium limit unless $ t \gg \tau_{\rm B}$ . We further calculate \red{the} density current at the barrier for bistable and asymmetric potentials and find that it crosses over to that from equilibrium rate theory at a time that does not appear to depend on the barrier height. Our results have important implications for controlling activated processes at finite times and demonstrate the importance of reaching long enough times to faithfully construct potential landscapes from experimental or simulation data.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)
21 pages, 7 figures
Interplay of short-range bond order and A-type antiferromagnetic order in metallic triangular lattice GdZn$_3$P$_3$
New Submission | Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Jiesen Guo, Fan Yang, Yuzhou He, Xinyang Liu, Zheng Deng, Qinghua Zhang, Xiancheng Wang, Xianlei Sheng, Wei Li, Changqing Jin, Kan Zhao
We investigate a hexagonal ScAl$ _3$ C$ _3$ -type antiferromagnet GdZn$ _3$ P$ _3$ single crystal. Compared with antiferromagnetic topological material EuM$ _2$ X$ _2$ (M=Zn, Cd; X=P, As), the GdZn$ _3$ P$ _3$ features an additional ZnP$ _3$ trigonal planar units. Notably, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that Zn and P atoms within trigonal planar layer exhibit significant anisotropic displacement parameters with a space group of P63/mmc. Meanwhile, scanning transmission electron microscopy experiment demonstrates the presence of interstitial P atoms above and below the ZnP honeycomb lattice, suggesting potential ZnP bond instability within the ZnP$ _3$ trigonal layers. Concerning the triangular Gd$ ^{3+}$ layer, the magnetic susceptibility $ \chi$ (T)$ and heat capacity measurements reveal long-range antiferromagnetic order at T$ _N$ = 4.5 K. Below T$ _N$ , the in-plane $ \chi$ (T)$ is nearly 4 times the $ \chi$ (T)$ along $ c$ axis, indicative of strong magnetic anisotropy. The Curie Weiss fitting to the low temperature $ \chi$ (T)$ data reveals ferromagnetic interaction ($ \theta$ _{CW}$ = 5.2 K) in ab-plane, and antiferromagnetic interaction ($ \theta$ _{CW}$ = -1 K) along c axis, suggesting the ground state as an A-type antiferromagnetic order. Correspondingly, the density function theory calculation shows that GdZn$ _3$ P$ _3$ is an indirect semiconductor with a band gap 0.27 eV, supported by the resistivity measurement on polycrystal sample. Interestingly, the GdZn$ _3$ P$ _3$ single crystal exhibits metallic conductivity with an anomaly at T$ _N$ , likely associated with the observation of interstitial P atoms mentioned above. Therefore, our results establish GdZn$ _3$ P$ _3$ system as a concrete example for investigating the coupling between charge carrier and triangular lattice magnetism in the two-dimensional lattice framework, on the background of short-range bond order.
Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el), Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
This manuscript contains 18 pages and 6 figures, with Supplemental Materials not included
High temperature modulations, meso-scale interactions and hyperscaling breakdown in Ising models with frustration: some insights from thermodynamic geometry
New Submission | Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) | 2025-07-16 20:00 EDT
Soumen Khatua, Riekshika Sanwari, Vikram Patil, Anurag Sahay
In this work we revisit the Axial Third Nearest Neighbour Ising (A3NNI) chain and examine in detail some aspects of its phase behaviour ensuing from competing interactions and resulting frustration. We probe the phase behaviour with two complimentary tools: a microscopic two-point correlation function $ \mathcal{C}(n)$ which we carefully construct after appropriate spin transformations, and a macroscopic, thermodynamic curvature $ R$ which we obtain from the free entropy. We report novel observations of phenomena such as hyperscaling breakdown and intermediate-ranged modulations among others. The zero field thermodynamic curvature $ R_0$ is shown to systematically sub-divide the ground state phases into regions of attractive or repulsive effective interactions of varying strength. Furthermore, $ R_0$ brings forth the significance of some third order moments in describing the effects of frustration, including the multiphase lines. Combined use of both the probes in the short-ranged modulated order regime confirms and further clarifies the discussion in [1] regarding the appropriate measure of high temperature correlation length in this regime.
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech), Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)