Browse Physics

For sufficiently thin films of topological insulators, the metallic surface states that make these materials interesting become insulating.

According to network theory, decentralizing a power grid to accommodate more energy sources may improve the synchronization of its components.

Experiments show that the times required to cross the barrier for the folding and unfolding of different nucleic acids are consistently about a few microseconds, despite many orders of magnitude differences in rate coefficients.

Experimental measurements with an x-ray laser test models of how ions behave in plasmas, like those found in stars and laser fusion research.

Researchers measure the complex “shape” of individual photons, which could lead to new ways of encoding information.

Particle discoveries attract the most attention, but determining where not to look can be just as important.

With the right algorithm, quantum computers could tackle ubiquitous problems such as least-squares fitting of large data sets.

Graphene researchers show the leakage of heat from electrons to sound vibrations is small enough to allow for sensitive light detectors.

Atomic simulations of aluminum show how charge transfer from surface impurities can accelerate the growth of a crack tip.

Experiments on electron transport across single molecules show evidence of enhancement of the current at higher temperatures due to suppression of destructive quantum interference.

The combination of the Josephson effect and topological order provides a testing ground for the emergence of Majorana fermions in solid-state systems.

The 1947 discovery of a small discrepancy in hydrogen’s atomic spectrum came at just the right time to push quantum theory forward.

Advances in magnetic resonance spectroscopy could remedy the problems caused by movement or unstable fields during a scan.

Knocking out neutrons or protons from an isotope of oxygen provides a successful test of an equation that relates nuclear masses.

Noiseless amplification of multiple spatial channels in rubidium vapor can aid optical communications and quantum information processing.

A new method for compressing laser pulses overcomes power constraints that hamper current compressor technology.

Observations of the way light scatters from large astrophysical bodies provides independent confirmation of the standard model of cosmology.

A newly predicted state of matter is a simple theoretical example of a phase that conducts electricity but is not smoothly connected to our conventional model of metals.

Simulations show that a new technique can control the wavelength of a random laser—a type of laser that lacks mirrors and whose output has been impossible to control.

A new limit on the half-life of neutrinoless double-beta decay sets an upper limit on the Majorana neutrino mass