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First measurement of antineutrinos from spent nuclear fuel

Researchers from the Double Chooz collaboration have measured antineutrino emission from spent nuclear fuel for the first time. This discovery opens new perspectives for reactor monitoring, nuclear safety, and safeguards.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut fur Kernphysik·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

KATRIN tightens the net around the elusive sterile neutrino

The KATRIN collaboration presents the most precise direct search for sterile neutrinos through measurements of tritium β-decay. No sign of a sterile neutrino was found, excluding a large region of parameter space suggested by earlier anomalies. The result relies on distinct detection methods and complements oscillation experiments.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut fur Kernphysik·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2025

Physicists discover aluminium-20, a new three-proton-emitting isotope

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered aluminium-20, an unstable isotope that decays via three-proton emission. The study provides insights into the structure and decay of nuclei beyond the proton drip line, shedding light on isospin symmetry breaking.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2025
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Eyes on the Sun: Naked thallium-205 ion decay reveals history over millions of years

Researchers at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH measure half-life of thallium-205 ion decay to understand Sun's long-term stability and its connection to Earth's climate. The experiment, known as LOREX, provides insights into the Sun's evolutionary history.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2024

Long-sought measurement of exotic beta decay in thallium helps extract the timescale of the Sun’s birth

Researchers successfully measured the bound-state beta decay of fully-ionized thallium ions, revealing key information about AGB star production and the Sun's formation time. The discovery allows for accurate calculations of radioactive lead production in these stars, providing insights into the solar system's early history.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

Shh! Quiet cables set to help reveal rare physics events

Researchers at PNNL have developed ultra-low radiation cables to minimize interference from cosmic radiation, increasing sensitivity and flexibility in detector design. These cables can help solve key mysteries of the universe, including dark matter and neutrino properties.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalEPJ Techniques and Instrumentation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

Closing in on the Elusive Neutrino

Researchers from the US and Germany report a realistic contender to measure the elusive neutrino mass using Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy. The project tracks electrons generated by beta decay to reveal the neutrino mass, aiming for scalability beyond existing technology.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023
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Scientists discover strongest-ever isospin mixing in beta decay

Researchers observed a strongly isospin-mixed doublet in silicon-26, with the largest ever recorded mixing matrix element. This unexpected result challenges current understanding of nuclear force and cannot be explained by standard nuclear models.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 13, 2022

Einstein’s photoelectric effect: The time it takes for an electron to be released

Researchers used a COLTRIMS reaction microscope to determine the duration of an electron's release after photon absorption. The study found that the emission time depends on the direction and velocity of the electron, revealing a complex interplay between quantum physics and molecular dynamics.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2022

The tetra-neutron – experiment finds evidence for a long-sought particle comprising four neutrons

Physicists at Technical University of Munich discover potential existence of tetra-neutron, a bound state of four neutrons, which could significantly alter our understanding of nuclear forces. The experiment's results suggest a half-life of 450 seconds and stability comparable to the neutron.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPhysics Letters B·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2021

Quantum mechanics affects light emission

Researchers found that quantum mechanics' influence on particles affects light emission, demonstrating wavefunction collapse and altering interference patterns. The study sheds new light on the counter-intuitive phenomenon, revealing a direct connection between light emission and quantum entanglement.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 2021

The electron merry-go-round

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have detected a previously unknown quantum effect in metal clusters, where electrons exhibit behavior similar to classical particles. The team's findings contradict previous predictions and suggest that decoherence suppresses interferences, leading to almost classical distributions.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 15, 2021
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Conquering the timing jitters

A team of scientists from Argonne National Laboratory developed a method to dramatically improve ultrafast time resolution achievable with X-ray free-electron lasers. This breakthrough enables new insights into the behavior of materials and chemical processes, allowing for more efficient designs and discoveries.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 3, 2021

Clocking electron movements inside an atom

A team of researchers has developed a method to synchronize X-ray and laser pulses, enabling precise measurements of Auger decay in neon gas. This breakthrough could help evade radiation damage in experiments studying exotic states of matter.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 19, 2021

Mystery solved: a 'New Kind of Electrons'

Researchers at TU Wien discovered a new type of electron emission in carbon materials like graphite, where electrons are emitted with a precise energy of 3.7 eV. The symmetry-breaking electrons cause the material to emit electrons with the properties of two different states simultaneously.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 19, 2020
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AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Measuring electron emission from irradiated biomolecules

A new experiment has characterised the properties of electrons emitted when adenine, a key DNA nucleobase, is bombarded with high-velocity ions. The study's findings could improve understanding of how radiation damage increases cancer risk in cells.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 7, 2020

A step forward in solving the reactor-neutrino flux problem

The University of Jyvaskyla's nuclear theory group, in collaboration with the EXO-200 experiment, has made significant progress in solving the long-standing reactor antineutrino anomaly. By measuring the electron spectral shape of beta decay, they have verified a theoretical hypothesis and supported the HKSS flux model.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2020

Photons and electrons one on one

Researchers in the Keller group at ETH Zurich have measured for the first time how single photons alter an unbound electron's dynamics. They found a delay of up to 12 attoseconds between s- and d-electrons, depending on their angular momentum. This subtle signature reflects underlying quantum-mechanical effects.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalOptica·DateMar 20, 2020

SUTD physicists unlock the mystery of thermionic emission in graphene

Researchers from SUTD discovered a new theory that describes thermionic emission in graphene, improving the accuracy of models used to design devices. The new approach overcomes limitations of existing Dirac cone approximation, enabling universal descriptions of graphene-based devices across different temperatures and energy regimes.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 7, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

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MSU researchers lead team that observes exotic radioactive decay process

Researchers from MSU and TRIUMF observed a rare nuclear decay in beryllium-11, measuring low-kinetic-energy protons emitted after beta decay. The observation represents a new challenge for understanding exotic nuclei, particularly halo nuclei.

SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2019

Researchers home in on extremely rare nuclear process

The EXO-200 collaboration has established some of the strongest limits yet for neutrinoless double beta decay and two-neutrino double beta decay of xenon-136. This research sets the stage for future experiments that will search for the hypothetical process, which would confirm that neutrinos are their own antiparticles.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 25, 2019

Closing in on elusive particles

The GERDA experiment has set a record-breaking sensitivity for detecting the neutrinoless double beta decay, which could reveal if neutrinos are their own antiparticles. The LEGEND project plans to increase the detector mass and reduce background noise to achieve even greater sensitivity.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateSep 5, 2019

ORNL-led collaboration solves a beta-decay puzzle with advanced nuclear models

Scientists at ORNL solved a 50-year-old puzzle explaining why beta decays are slower than expected by including subtle effects in theoretical models. The team used ORNL's Titan supercomputer to simulate tin-100 decay into indium-100, demonstrating increased confidence in computing nuclear processes.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 11, 2019
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Physicists use supercomputers to solve 50-year-old beta decay puzzle

Physicists have solved a 50-year-old mystery in beta decay, a process that drives stellar explosions and synthesizes elements. Using advanced computing power, researchers found that the beta decay rate for an atomic nucleus is more complicated than initially thought.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 11, 2019

Prototype nuclear battery packs 10 times more power

Researchers from MIPT and TISNCM developed a new type of nuclear battery using nickel-63 that packs about 3,300 milliwatt-hours of energy per gram, exceeding previous records. The battery achieves a power density 10 times higher than commercial chemical cells, making it suitable for powering small devices.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalDiamond and Related Materials·DateMay 31, 2018

Controlled electron pulses

Researchers at FAU successfully control electron pulses using laser delays, exhibiting quantum path interference and opening doors for time-resolved electron microscopy. The discovery could lead to complex electron pulses in the future, revolutionizing surface coherence research.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Controlling electrons in time and space

Scientists at TU Wien develop new approach to controlling electron emission using two laser pulses fired at a metal tip. They demonstrate the ability to switch electron emission on and off on extremely short time scales. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for controlled x-ray generation.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 15, 2016

A novel approach for high performance field emission electron sources

A team of researchers from INRS developed novel graphenated-MWCNTs with enhanced field electron emission properties by decorating graphene sheets with gold nanoparticles. This innovation enhances the density of electron-emitting sites, improving FEE performance and opening new prospects for portable X-ray imaging systems.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNanotechnology·DateFeb 17, 2015

New way to measure electron pair interactions

Researchers at Max Planck Institute in Germany develop new way to measure electron pair emission directly on a standard lab bench using time-of-flight spectrometers. This breakthrough allows for the quantification of electron correlation strength, crucial for designing novel materials with desirable properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 11, 2014
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Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Physicists close in on a rare particle-decay process

Researchers narrow down possible masses for neutrino, a tiny particle that rarely interacts with matter, using sensitive detectors buried underground. The new data suggests a neutrino cannot be more massive than about 0.140 to 0.380 electron volts.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 4, 2012

When it comes to churning out electrons, metal glass beats plastics

Researchers have developed a promising replacement for plastics using amorphous bulk metallic glass (ABM) alloys. These alloys offer excellent electron emission properties and robust thermal stability, making them suitable for various applications such as field emission devices, electron microscopes, and modern display devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 21, 2011
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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