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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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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