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Striped or checkered? Magnetic field influences competing electronic patterns in a graphene-like quantum material

Researchers discovered that a small magnetic field switches CeTe₃ between striped and checkerboard electronic patterns. The material's unique properties allow it to adopt multiple competing patterns, which can be manipulated with magnetism.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 23, 2026

As light dances slantly with high-energy electrons: First decoding of its polarization cipher

Scientists have successfully decoded the polarization cipher of high-energy electrons, demonstrating a new pathway to creating highly polarized gamma-ray sources. The study's findings confirm key predictions of quantum electrodynamics and open up new design options for mid- to high-energy gamma-ray sources.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2026

New superconducting thin film for quantum computer chips

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2025

Engineering ultra-thin magnets to power next-gen electronics

A team of international researchers has developed a way to strengthen magnetism in ultra-thin materials, which could lead to breakthroughs in quantum computing and advanced communication systems. By pairing these materials with topological insulators, they improved the magnets' strength and stability, even at higher temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalReports on Progress in Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2025

Magnetism in new exotic material opens the way for robust quantum computers

Researchers have developed a new type of exotic quantum material that can maintain its quantum properties when exposed to external disturbances, paving the way for robust quantum computers. The breakthrough uses magnetism to create stability, making it an important step towards realising practical topological quantum computing.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2025

KAIST and Mainz researchers unveil 3D magnon control, charting a new course for neuromorphic and quantum technologies​

KAIST and Mainz researchers have predicted a 3D magnon Hall effect, demonstrating the ability of magnons to move freely and complexly in 3D space. This breakthrough could lead to novel functionalities in next-generation computing structures.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 21, 2025

Research team demonstrated nonlinear compton scattering with a multi-petawatt laser, mimicking astrophysical phenomena and producing ultra-bright gamma rays

A team of researchers successfully demonstrated nonlinear Compton scattering using a multi-petawatt laser, producing ultra-bright gamma rays. The achievement offers new insights into high-energy electron-photon interactions without traditional particle accelerators.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Lifting the veil of topological censorship

A recent study has lifted the veil of topological censorship by revealing a meandering conduction channel that can carry quantized bulk current. The researchers identified mechanisms that allow for tuning between qualitatively different microscopic implementations, challenging traditional theories.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 25, 2024

New tests of quantum electrodynamics in extreme fields with the heaviest two-electron ion

Researchers have successfully carried out high-precision x-ray spectroscopy on helium-like uranium, disentangling one-electron and two-electron quantum electrodynamics effects. The measurement achieves an accuracy of 37 parts per million, setting a new benchmark for QED in the strong field domain.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2024

A new kind of magnetism

Researchers at ETH Zurich detected a new type of ferromagnetism in an artificially produced material, where magnetic moments align due to kinetic energy minimization. The material exhibits ferromagnetic behavior when electrons form 'doublons' and spread out through quantum mechanical tunnelling.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 15, 2023

Fractons as information storage: Not yet quite tangible, but close

Researchers have modeled fractons, stationary quasiparticles, and found they are not visible even at absolute zero temperature due to quantum fluctuations. The team plans to develop a model to regulate these fluctuations, paving the way for experimental materials that could exhibit fractons.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2023

Neutron star’s X-rays reveal ‘photon metamorphosis’

A Cornell astrophysicist explains how the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite detected polarized X-rays from a magnetar, revealing 'photon metamorphosis' – a transformation of X-ray photons. The phenomenon is a natural consequence of quantum electrodynamics under strong magnetic field conditions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Theory can sort order from chaos in complex quantum systems

A new mathematical theory developed by scientists at Rice University and Oxford University can predict the nature of motions in complex quantum systems. The theory applies to any sufficiently complex quantum system and may give insights into building better quantum computers, designing solar cells, or improving battery performance.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2023

Making sense of the muon’s misdemeanours

Researchers studying exotic atom muonium aim to detect deviations from the Standard Model, which could reveal new physics. By measuring energy levels with unprecedented precision, they may uncover evidence for additional particles or forces that explain the muon's misbehavior.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2022

Ultrafast 'camera' captures hidden behavior of potential 'neuromorphic' material

Researchers used a mega-electron-volt ultrafast electron diffraction instrument to study vanadium dioxide's insulator-metal transition. The 'stroboscopic camera' captured the hidden trajectory of atomic motion, showing two stages with non-linear atomic motions in the second stage, influenced by electron orbital forces.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Physicists discover method for emulating nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in a laboratory setting

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a way to produce the long-sought effect of vacuum scattering into rainbows using novel materials and controlled magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the study of fundamental quantum phenomena that were previously only observable in extreme environments, such as neutron stars.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 7, 2022

Quantum electrodynamics experiment

Researchers at Heidelberg University have successfully constructed the symmetries of quantum electrodynamics using ultracold atoms. The findings could lead to the development of large-scale quantum devices capable of simulating complex physical phenomena.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2020