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A sea of spinning electrons

Scientists have discovered a 'chiral spin mode' - a sea of electrons spinning in opposing circles that can transport information with little energy dissipation. This breakthrough paves the way for building novel electronic devices such as computers and processors with reduced energy loss.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 2, 2017

Team led by graduate student at PPPL produces unique simulation of magnetic reconnection

A team led by a Princeton University graduate student has developed a unique simulation of magnetic reconnection in space plasmas, which could lead to improved forecasts of space weather events. The new model approximates kinetic effects using fluid equations and agrees better with kinetic models than traditional simulations.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateSep 8, 2017

Bond dissociation energies for transition metal silicides accurately determined

A team of researchers from the University of Utah has investigated the bond dissociation energy property in transition metal silicides, including precise values for six specific compounds. The new method provides an accurate means of estimating bond dissociation energies, with smaller uncertainties than previous approaches.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateAug 22, 2017

'Blurred times' in a quantum world

Researchers demonstrate that clocks placed next to each other necessarily disturb each other, causing a universal limitation on measuring time. This effect is independent of clock mechanism or material, highlighting the need to re-examine our ideas about time in both quantum mechanics and general relativity.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2017

Novel plasma diagnostics method

Researchers have created a novel plasma diagnostics method by studying the pressure change at the inner walls of energy-saving light bulbs. The technique measures the force exerted on a solid surface by plasma, providing insights into processes that conventional probes can't detect.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 16, 2015

Beam on target!

The CEBAF accelerator successfully delivered its first data of the 12 GeV era, achieving 6.11 GeV electrons at 2 nanoAmps average current for over an hour. The milestone marks a major step in the commissioning process and demonstrates the ability to deliver high-energy beams beyond the original operational energy.

Inequality and investment bubbles

Research by physics professor Victor Yakovenko links income inequality with bursting financial bubbles. He models income distribution using statistical physics, finding a long tail in the upper 3% of incomes that correlates with investment downturns.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateApr 19, 2012

Physicists consider their own carbon footprint

Physicists are being called on to take action against climate change by reducing their own carbon footprints. By changing behavior at the individual level and carefully planning future experiments, physicists can contribute to a more sustainable energy supply.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateSep 29, 2011