Researchers observe atoms trapped in an optical lattice mimicking particles created in a strong electric field. In physics, you can get something from nothing. In a strong electric field, electrons ...

A decades-old neutrino mystery might be solved not by undiscovered physics but by improved calculations.

A hallmark property of unconventional superconductivity has been discovered in a type-I superconductor, whereas it’s normally observed only in type-II materials. Superconductors can be broadly ...

Researchers have gained access to the rich physics of a landmark model magnet by assembling a crystal out of organic magnetic molecules. The S = 1 Haldane chain is an infinite 1D string of integer ...

A recent experiment points the way toward making the intense, energetic beams of positrons needed for next-generation electron–positron colliders. An artist’s conception of a detector harvesting ...

A carbon nanotube foam springs back to its initial state, regardless of the speed of the compression, a property that could lead to a new type of shock absorber. Perfect padding. Vertically aligned ...

A proposed lab-based quantum sensor could precisely measure within seconds the warping of spacetime caused by Earth’s rotation. Einstein’s theory of general relativity predicts that Earth’s rotation ...

Researchers demonstrate a new quantum memory device that will enable faraway nodes in a network to coordinate in time, a key ingredient for a future quantum Internet. To sustain delicate light-based ...

Contrary to expectations, the magnetization dynamics of a ferromagnet can be accelerated by increasing temperature, laser excitation, or magnetic field—a behavior that holds promise for high-speed ...

Increasing the charging rate of a quantum battery leads to unavoidable fluctuations in the total energy stored. A quantum battery exploits quantum correlations between its component cells to achieve ...

A new model shows how cells could optimize biochemical sensing by balancing information gained against energy spent. A cell never senses its environment directly. Instead, it receives a noisy stream ...

Chess grandmasters move toward a less complex game faster than AI players, suggesting different approaches for balancing short- and long-term prospects. Game of trade-offs. Chess players need to ...