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Physics

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Friday 26 June

Materials Science

CoTAR: Topology and Atomic State Reconstruction in Condensed Phases

Universal machine learning interatomic potentials (uMLIPs) enable condensed-phase molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with near-first-principles accuracy, but their lack of explicit molecular topology limits bond-aware analysis and reconnection to classical force fields. Here, we present CoTAR, a hybrid graph neural network (GNN)–hidden Markov model (HMM) framework that reconstructs molecular topology, formal charges, and unpaired electrons from atomic species, coordinates, and total charge by combining message passing on a proximity graph with a van der Waals prior, chemical constraints, and temporal smoothing. Across 128 nonreactive, topology-preserving condensed-phase systems, CoTAR achieved a bond-order-weighted F1 score of 0.906 on classical-MD data; for uMLIP trajectories, few-shot fine-tuning improved the valid-snapshot rate from 38.6% to 84.7%. The reconstructed topologies also supported downstream classical MD simulations, and HMM smoothing improved system-level MD simulation feasibility from 83.6% to 85.9%, indicating that CoTAR provides a practical framework for bond-aware analysis of condensed-phase uMLIP trajectories.
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Quantum Physics

Enhancing Quantum Metrology with High-order Fisher Information and Experiments

Fisher information plays a central role in statistics and quantum metrology, providing the basis for the celebrated Cramér-Rao bound. In this work, we introduce a new information measure based on higher-order Fisher information and show that it naturally leads to a generalized uncertainty relation for parameter estimation, which can be regarded as an extension of the Cramér-Rao bound. As an application, we analyze the case of quantum phase estimation with a single qubit and compare our theoretical bounds with the well-known established hierarchical bounds. Finally, we experimentally validate the proposed framework using a photonic platform.
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All authors Xin-Zhu Liu, Jun-Li Jiang, Yan-Han Yang, Li-Ming Zhao, Xue Yang, Shao-Ming Fei, Ming-Xing Luo

Nuclear Theory

Oblate-prolate shape mixing and E0 transition in 28Si

Background: oblate-prolate shape coexistence in $^{28}$Si has been discussed for decades, but the degree of shape mixing between these configurations remains poorly constrained. Purpose: We constrain the oblate-prolate mixing amplitudes in $^{28}$Si using available experimental information and discuss the inter-band E0 transition strength. Methods: Oblate and prolate $0^+$ and $2^+$ configurations are obtained by antisymmetrized molecular dynamics combined with the generator coordinate method. Using these configurations as the basis states, we constrain the mixing amplitudes by simultaneously reproducing the measured charge radius, the quadrupole moment of the $2_1^+$ state, and the in-band and inter-band $B(\mathrm{E2})$ values. The strength of the density-dependent term in the Gogny interaction is also varied within a reasonable range. Results: In the ground state, the oblate component is dominant, and the prolate component in the ground state is limited to less than about $20\%$. For the $2_1^+$ state, the allowed prolate component is smaller than that in the ground state. The present analysis does not tightly constrain the corresponding E0 transition strength, but an upper limit of $\rho^2(\mathrm{E0};0_3^+\rightarrow0_1^+) \lesssim 0.206$ is obtained. Conclusions: The low-lying $0^+$ states of $^{28}$Si may exhibit substantial oblate-prolate mixing. A measurement of the inter-band E0 transition strength would provide a quantitative determination of the mixing amplitude.
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Quantum Physics

Scalable Acceleration of Many-Body Quantum Dynamics via Time-Rescaling

Fast quantum control is essential to overcome decoherence in contemporary quantum platforms, yet achieving this in many-body systems remains a major challenge. We show that the time-rescaling (TR) method enables efficient acceleration of closed many-body quantum dynamics, extending its applicability beyond previously studied regimes. Applying TR to the transverse-field Ising model with a longitudinal field, we demonstrate a significant enhancement of quantum annealing performance, maintaining high ground-state fidelity at evolution times where standard adiabatic dynamics breaks down, with only weak dependence on system size. We further demonstrate high-fidelity preparation of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states in many-body systems, where TR extends the accessible system sizes within fixed evolution times. We additionally show that the Mandelstam-Tamm quantum speed limit does not fundamentally limit the acceleration achievable through TR, as the reduction in evolution time is exactly compensated by increased energy fluctuations. These results establish TR as a scalable and experimentally viable approach to fast quantum control in many-body systems.
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Superconductivity

The Second Law, Symmetry of Time Reversal and Thermodynamic Equilibrium in Superconductors

The Second law, universally applicable to all states of all sorts of matter and radiation, is undeniably the brightest jewel in the tiara of laws of thermodynamics; recall that the achievements of this law include the principle of least action, the atomistic structure of matter, the quantization of radiant heat, and much more. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the application of the Second law to magnetizing materials, especially to superconductors. This communication is targeted to fill the gap. The concepts of equilibrium and reversibility in thermodynamic processes are considered with particular attention to specifics of superconductivity. These include (1) the primary role of the field strength $\textbf{H}$ in forming magnetization; (2) the zero entropy of samples in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium; and (3) two kinds of superconducting currents in samples out of equilibrium. As shown, time reversal symmetry in superconductors is a consequence of the Second law and, therefore, is a mandatory property of these materials in a state of equilibrium. Necessary conditions for achieving the latter are framed out. Awareness of these aspects is important for advancing research on superconductivity in all kinds of superconducting materials.
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Biological Physics

Self-organized robustness in mean-field interacting systems

Self-organization is a defining feature of living systems, with order often maintained through interactions between constituent units rather than centralized feedback. We introduce a tractable mean-field model of self-organized robustness, formulated as meta-optimization over the system's response to perturbations. The resulting interaction structure has an intuitive picture as a dynamically modulated landscape (“seascape”) whose shape is determined self-consistently to accelerate relaxation back to equilibrium. The collective dynamics follows an optimized Wasserstein gradient flow toward an attractor in the space of collective states. When communication is limited, interactions preferentially encode slowly relaxing modes and modes that are frequently perturbed. The model further shows that robust collective states are associated with flatter equilibrium landscapes and predicts a continuum of intermediate “reservoir states” in such systems. The model offers a perspective of self-organization as a hierarchical associative memory that operates on the scale of a collective of interacting computational units.
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Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

EWOCS-VI: Probing the hidden intermediate-mass population of Westerlund 1

Context: Westerlund 1 (Wd1), the most massive young star cluster in the Milky Way, is an excellent laboratory for studying star formation and early stellar evolution in a starburst-like environment. However, high extinction restricts studies of its stellar content, and focus on high-mass stars limits our knowledge of the full spatial extent of the cluster. Aims: We characterize the near-infrared (NIR) variability of the stellar population of Wd1, filling the mass gap between massive stars traced by Gaia and very low-mass stars from previous Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) studies, to provide a more complete view of cluster membership across solar and super-solar masses.} Methods: We exploited data from the VISTA Variables of the Vía Láctea survey and its extension (VVVX), using NIR point spread function (PSF) photometry and astrometric solutions from its latest data release, namely the VIRAC2 catalogs, mainly in the Ks band. Their large spatial coverage enables study of both the central regions and outskirts of the cluster. We applied HDBSCAN clustering algorithm in a 6D parameter space to differentiate cluster members from field contaminants, assessing robustness through Monte Carlo simulations. Variable sources along the line of sight were also identified and characterized. Results: We identify 1286 high-probability candidate members (12 < J < 18 mag) spanning $\sim 1.5$–$20\,M_{\odot}$, adopting both PARSEC 5 and 6 Myr isochrones ($A_{K_{\rm{s}}}=0.6\,\rm{mag}$, $d=4.23\,\rm{kpc}$). A considerable fraction (34%) shows statistically significant flux variations. We present, for the first time, a parametric analysis of variability modes of Wd1 candidate members in the Ks band, providing a membership catalog suitable for future kinematic studies.
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All authors C. Ordenes-Huanca, A. Bayo, M. Guarcello, M. Zoccali, A. Rojas-Arriagada, V. Almendros-Abad, M. Andersen, R. Bonito, V. Guzmán, E. Moraux, K. Muzic, L. Prisinzano, S. Sciortino, N.J. Wright

Materials Science

Entropy engineering of BF-BT-based high-entropy ceramics for ultra-high energy storage performance

Dielectric capacitors are promising for pulsed power applications, but the energy storage performance of lead-free bulk ceramics is often limited by low breakdown strength and large ferroelectric hysteresis. Herein, a high entropy perovskite oxide BaTi0.2Zr0.2Sn0.2Hf0.2Nb0.1Sc0.1O3 was introduced into the BF-BT matrix to develop lead free high entropy ferroelectric ceramics. Multicomponent B-site substitution induces lattice distortion, enhanced pseudocubic characteristics, relaxor behavior, and grain refinement. These effects suppress polarization hysteresis and electrical conduction, resulting in a significant increase in breakdown strength. A maximum breakdown strength of 840 kV/cm1 and a recoverable energy density of 10.55 J/cm3 were achieved. Entropy-induced microstructural heterogeneity promotes a more uniform electric-field distribution and delays dielectric breakdown. This work demonstrates entropy engineering as an effective route to achieving high breakdown strength and superior energy-storage performance in lead-free ferroelectric ceramics.
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All authors Yitao Jiao, Zhenhao Fan, Dawei Wang, Hai-Feng Li

Plasma Physics

Inferring solar-wind plasma structures from sparse probe trajectories using recurrent reduced-order learning

In space plasma studies, spacecraft measurements often provide time histories of the solar-wind plasma. However, many heliospheric plasma processes are organized over spatial scales that cannot be directly resolved by limited local sampling. This creates a persistent challenge: how to use limited probe measurements to recover the spatial plasma distributions needed to interpret evolving solar-wind structures. In this work, we present a recurrent reduced-order learning framework to address this challenge. The method is demonstrated using WSA-ENLIL solar-wind simulation data to reconstruct two-dimensional meridional and equatorial fields from a small number of virtual probes, with radial velocity and plasma density considered as target quantities on both planes. From sparse temporal probe signals as inputs, the model recovers the dominant radial and latitudinal variations in the meridional plane and the spiral-shaped organization of the equatorial solar wind. It is also able to reconstruct spatial distributions of dynamically coupled plasma fields not directly sensed. Sensitivity studies are performed to assess the dependence of reconstruction accuracy on key parameters of the machine-learning framework: modal rank, number of probes, and input-history length. The outcomes underline the methodology's promise as a practical route for extracting spatial plasma-state information from spacecraft measurements in support of studies on the underlying physics of space and solar-wind plasmas.
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High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)

From the quark parton model to QCD

The quark parton model grew out of deeply inelastic scattering experiments. The parton model developed into a full theory, quantum chromodynamics, QCD. This article explains some of the physics issues encountered in connecting the parton model and QCD.

Materials Science

Emergence of millimeter-wave resonances in self-assembled ferroelectric metamaterials

Resonators are a key component in modern communications and computing. As demand and technological advances push component requirements into the terahertz regime, there is significant research devoted to the search for resonances at these frequencies. While uniform solid-state materials usually do not intrinsically feature resonances in this frequency range, self-assembled periodic arrays of ferroelectric nanodomains may provide an engineering route to design millimeter-wave properties. Here, we utilize prototypical dielectric-ferroelectric SrTiO3/PbTiO3 superlattices to robustly design periodic ferroelectric nano-scale domains. Phase field simulations predict an emergent domain breathing mode in complex polar textures and state-of-the-art millimeter-wave characterization shows evidence for such emergent resonances up to hundreds of GHz. Complex polar textures in these superlattices lead to emergent piezoelectric properties that also result in millimeter-wave resonances, which are predicted by second principles methods and confirmed by direct measurement. The principles investigated in this work suggest a new modality for ferroelectrics in the design of millimeter-wave electronics.
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All authors Florian Bergmann, Peter Meisenheimer, Aiden Ross, Marvin Schewe, Fernando Gómez-Ortiz, Kaiwen Yang, Xinyan Li, Thomas J. Lee, Pushpendra Gupta, Liam G.Connolloy, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Jack Kramer, Bryan T. Bosworth, Nicholas R. Jungwirth, Eric J. Marksz, Aaron Hagerstrom, Tomasz Karpisz, Arundhati Ghosal, Lane W. Martin, Yimo Han, Angela C. Stelson, Christian J. Long, Ruochen Lu, Lucas Caretta, Javier Junquera, Jason J. Gorman, Long-Qing Chen, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Nathan D. Orloff

Fluid Dynamics

Interface tracking with Microscale Topological Surgery for two-dimensional filament breakup

We design and implement a Microscale Topological Surgery (MTS) algorithm to detect and enforce topological transitions in two-dimensional tracked interfaces. The method combines classical Lagrangian tracking with an intermittent topological processor that: (i) constructs Eulerian snapshots from which an interface family with microscale-resolved topology is extracted, (ii) infers adjacency topology between dual Lagrangian and Eulerian interface families, and (iii) performs interface surgery to stitch the two families together across microscale defect regions. A novel long-time nonlinear alternating-shear flow is introduced, in which repeated stretching and folding generate rich multiscale interface dynamics with filamentation at microscales. Using the MTS algorithm and a posteriori geometric and material diagnostics, we compute and visualize microscale filament-breakup dynamics. Error analysis and scaling studies demonstrate second-order geometric convergence and optimal computational scaling of the MTS algorithm, with topology-processing costs comparable to those of the underlying Lagrangian evolution. Ensemble simulations generated by pseudo-random perturbations of the flow further reveal coherent droplet size distributions and statistically robust filament-breakup dynamics.
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High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)

$t \bar{t}$ production as a window to invisible new physics

We present a phenomenological study where we probe the sensitivity to invisible dark matter (DM) mediators produced in association with a $t\bar{t}$ pair at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Building on previous work focused on scalar mediators, we extend the analysis to include spin-1 mediators, $Y_1$, with both vector and axial-vector couplings to top quarks. The mediator mass is fixed to 5 GeV. Signal samples of $pp \rightarrow t\bar{t}Y_i$ ($i = 0, 1$) are generated using a MadGraph5_aMC@NLO simplified DM model. Only dileptonic final states of the $t\bar{t}$ system are considered, and the reconstruction is performed through a kinematic fit without explicitly reconstructing the invisible mediator. All relevant Standard Model backgrounds are included. We consider several exclusion scenarios to assess the sensitivity to the presence of a spin-1 mediator, as well as the ability to distinguish a pure vector or axial-vector mediator from alternative hypotheses with different spin and CP properties. We find that the analysis is sensitive to light spin-1 mediators and that CP-sensitive angular observables provide discrimination power between vector, axial-vector, scalar and pseudoscalar scenarios. These results highlight the potential of $t\bar{t}$ final states not only to search for invisible particles, but also to characterize their spin and parity properties in case of discovery.
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All authors Rodrigo Capucha, João Lopes, João Bravo Martins, António Onofre, Rui Santos

Optics

Enhancing Co-packaging Optics Enabled Silicon Photonics Security Assurance Hardware Fingerprinting

Silicon photonics enables integration of optical components using standard semiconductor processes, greatly improving data communication bandwidth and energy efficiency. However, photonics integrated circuits (PICs) face unique security challenges, such as counterfeit or tampering threats, that conventional electronic security methods do not address. We propose a novel hardware fingerprinting technique that embeds two dimensional photonic crystal patterns into the density control filler regions of a PIC. Each PhC pattern is designed to resonate a specific visible to near infrared wavelengths, producing a distinctive optical signature (based on wavelength, polarization, and incident angle) for each device. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation using ANSYS Lumerical is employed to optimize nanostructure dimensions and spacing so that each device's reflection/absorption spectrum contains unique narrowband peaks. No extra fabrication steps or materials are required beyond standard lithography, keeping costs low. The embedded nanostructures have sub-50nm precision, making forgery extremely difficult. Our method yields a high resolution, scalable fingerprint for silicon photonic chips, enabling cost-effective device authentication and improved supply chain security.
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All authors Liton Kumar Biswas, M Shafkat M Khan, Himanandhan Reddy Kottur, Hao Wang, Hamed Dalir, Navid Asadizanjani

Thursday 25 June

Popular Physics

Improving Punching "Power": Reconsidering the roles of initial strike velocity and effective mass

We review the principal features of one-dimensional, elastic collisions pertinent to modeling strike-mediated impacts in martial arts and combat sports contexts. Arguing for the post-collision velocity of a stationary, target mass as a useful proxy for determining overall punch efficacy, we demonstrate that pre-collision velocities for real strikes are bounded, such that speed prior to impact has a more limited effect on the impulse experienced by said target than suggested by supporting literature. We find that the value of incoming, "effective" mass – despite eluding uniform establishment criteria or measurement protocols across the same body of literature – exerts an independent influence on the target velocity which can, in principle, match or exceed that of the strike speed. We perform explicit numerical analyses to supplement these theoretical considerations, in dynamical regimes relevant to real human combat, and then briefly discuss the potential for a given fighter to attain a fold-increase in effective mass (from a reasonable baseline value based on bodyweight, and supported by previous work) sufficient to realize limits for upper-limb strikes to the body, in practice, as a trainable goal.
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Computational Physics · Cross-listed from cs.LG

Diffusion-corrected Autoregressive Fourier Neural Operator for Droplet Evolution Prediction

Predicting droplet evolution in material jetting, or Inkjet Printing (IJP), is essential for maintaining printing quality. However, long-horizon forecasts remain challenging due to error accumulation and the complex coupling of process variables. In this work, we introduce the Diffusion-corrected Auto-Regressive Fourier Neural Operator (DiffARFNO), a two-stage framework that combines an autoregressive Fourier-MIONet with a conditional Denoising Diffusion Implicit Model (DDIM) corrector. Fourier-MIONet is trained as a coarse predictor and deployed autoregressively for long-horizon forecasting. In the second stage, a DDIM-based conditional corrector refines the coarse prediction within each sliding window through efficient iterative denoising. By combining coarse predictions from Fourier-MIONet with a DDIM corrector that restores fine details, DiffARFNO aims to provide high-fidelity predictions for long-horizon forecasts. Extensive experiments on droplet datasets from ANSYS Fluent demonstrate that DiffARFNO significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art models.
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All authors Jinghao Cao, Minsung Kang, Hongyue Sun, Chi Zhou, Jihoon Chung, Xubo Yue, Sanchoy Das, Bo Shen

General Physics

Dynamical dark energy in the Bianchi Type-V Universe with DESI DR2 BAO, SNIa compilation and RSD measurements

We investigate the cosmological implications of dynamical dark energy (DDE) models within an anisotropic, spatially homogeneous Bianchi Type-V spacetime framework using a $1+3$ covariant thermodynamics approach. By implementing both constant ($w$) and time-varying ($w_0, w_a$) parameterized equations of state, we evaluate the background expansion history and track linear matter perturbations via the quasi-static approximation. We confront these scenarios with the latest cosmological datasets, including the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) DR2 Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), the Union3 and Dark Energy Survey 5-year (DESY5) Type Ia Supernovae compilations, Cosmic Chronometers (CC), and Redshift-Space Distortion (RSD) measurements. Our joint statistical analyses reveal that the introduction of spatial anisotropy coupled with DDE efficiently accommodates recent late-time measurements and provides a viable mechanism to mitigate the persistent $H_0$ and $S_8$ cosmological tensions. Model selection metrics show that while Akaike criteria strongly support the extended Bianchi Type-V scenarios across most joint data combinations, Bayesian criteria continue to favor the simpler standard $\Lambda$CDM baseline due to its lower dimensionality. Finally, we establish tight constraints on the current matter density parameter $\Omega_{m,0}$, the shear parameter $\Omega_{\sigma,0}$, and the dark energy evolution parameters, confirming that anisotropic extensions remain viable and testable frameworks for modern precision cosmology.
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All authors Shambel Sahlu, Álvaro de la Cruz-Dombriz, A. H. A. Alfedeel, Gonzalo J. Olmo, Amare Abebe

Instrumentation and Detectors

CUORE Data Release for ML Applications: Pulse Shape Analysis Dataset

We present a public dataset from the CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) experiment, designed to support the development and benchmarking of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms for cryogenic calorimeter data analysis. CUORE uses TeO$_2$ cryogenic calorimeters to measure particle energy depositions as thermal fluctuations. This dataset contains thermal pulses measured during calibration data taking. Each data point is provided as a one-dimensional, time-series array corresponding to a thermal pulse, accompanied by a binary classification label to distinguish between single-pulse events and pile-up events with two or more pulses; pulse normalization parameters and relevant metadata are also included, with all data stored in HDF5 format. This data release enables the testing of supervised learning approaches to pulse shape analysis, pile-up identification, and related tasks in the context of rare-event searches with cryogenic calorimeters.
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General Physics

Another one bites the dust – how red supergiants keep surprising us

Extreme red supergiant WOH G64 has led researchers a merry dance these last few years, but what does it reveal about the secret lives of these beasts? This article sets the latest observations of WOH G64 in the context of what has been observed in other supergiants such as Betelgeuse and what we are learning from the massive stars that have been identified to explode as a supernova.
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General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Reverse Isoperimetry from Boundary–Completed Canonical Energy

The reverse isoperimetric conjecture states that, at fixed thermodynamic volume, Schwarzschild–AdS black holes maximize entropy. We show that its local fixed-volume form admits a boundary-completed canonical-energy interpretation. The key observation is that the bulk Hollands–Wald canonical energy vanishes on exact stationary black-hole families, while the fixed-volume entropy Hessian is encoded in an asymptotic boundary contribution. The same structure governs the global comparison. We choose an affine parameterization of a fixed-volume stationary branch connecting Schwarzschild–AdS to the solution of interest. If the stationary boundary Hessian is non-negative along this comparison, entropy concavity gives the reverse isoperimetric bound, while equality is determined by the directions along which the boundary Hessian vanishes. In Einstein gravity this reproduces the area–volume inequality on the stated comparison branches, and the formulation extends naturally to Wald entropy in higher-derivative theories.
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Statistical Mechanics

Comparison of different exact generalized Langevin equations with a non-linear potential of mean force and an observable-dependent mass and friction

The Mori-Zwanzig projection formalism constitutes a powerful and robust framework for deriving equations of motion in terms of generalized Langevin equations (GLEs) for an arbitrary observable using evolution and projection operators. Based on this framework, we analyze the properties of four distinct GLEs for a scalar observable including a Markovian force derived from a generally non-linear potential, a non-Markovian friction force, and an orthogonal force, commonly interpreted as a random force. While all four GLEs are exact, they differ in the memory friction kernel, which may either be dependent or independent of the observable, and by the potential, which may either include or exclude the effective kinetic energy of the observable. Inclusion of the kinetic energy in the potential is advantageous for observables whose velocity satisfies Wick's theorem, since this reproduces the correct distribution of the observable and its velocity even without contributions from the friction force and the orthogonal force.
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High Energy Physics (Theory)

Meson states in `t Hooft model: Hamiltonian approach

We point out that the masses of the highly excited bound quark-antiquark states in QCD$_2$ in the infinite $N$ limit may be determined in the framework of a simple quantum-mechanical model with the potential $V(x) = \sigma |x|$. In the ultrarelativistic case, the masses follow the pattern $$ \mu_n^2 \ =\ \frac {g^2 N}{2\pi} n, $$ which coincides with the law derived by `t Hooft by solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation. In the nonrelativistic case, the energy levels follow the asymptotics $\epsilon_n = \mu_n - 2m = Cn^{2/3}$, where the constant $C$ can be determined by solving the `t Hooft equation or alternatively the nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation.
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General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Quantum corrections to symmetron fifth forces for planar sources

We provide a semi-analytic calculation of the first quantum corrections to the symmetron fifth force around a planar source with nonzero thickness. We find a suppression of the fifth force compared with the classical prediction within a Compton wavelength of the source, which is of order 10% in the parameter region relevant to experiments like CANNEX, while the fifth force is enhanced at larger distances from the source. The resulting change in the spatial profile of the fifth force may be relevant to current and near future terrestrial and astrophysical tests of force laws, and has implications for the optimisation of experimental geometries, including atom interferometers. This work provides a key benchmark for future numerical studies of quantum-corrected fifth forces in screened scalar-tensor theories of gravity.
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Biological Physics · Cross-listed from q-bio.QM

Metabolic scaling, von Bertalanffy growth and an exponent equation

In this work, we interpret developmental growth as a metabolic energy allocation problem and link the von Bertalanffy growth model to metabolic energy investments into the growth channel. Using a framework that specifies how metabolic energy is allocated among baseline maintenance, growth, and other processes, we analyse the resulting growth allocation patterns and derive direct relationships between key scaling exponents: the mass-growth exponent, the length-based exponent, the metabolic scaling exponent, and the geometric exponent, which describes the mass-length relationship. These exponents determine the metabolic investment exponent, which controls the qualitative behaviour of the growth-allocation function. Requiring the inferred allocation fraction to remain biologically feasible, we derive constraints on developmental velocity and characteristic mass scales. This provides a physical, energy-based interpretation of phenomenological growth curves and clarifies how metabolic scaling, geometric scaling, and growth dynamics are interrelated within a single allocation framework.
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Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems

From phase synchronization to waveform proportionality in a population of Rössler oscillators driven by an external pacemaker

The dynamical order of self-sustained oscillators is often characterized by phase synchronization, extensively studied within the framework of the Kuramoto model. It has recently been reported that strong coupling leads to further organization of coupled oscillators, termed waveform proportionality (WP), through amplitude dynamics that cannot be addressed using the Kuramoto model. A previous study [Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 167202 (2025)] showed that, in coupled oscillator systems, synchronization induces Taylor's law (TL). Particularly, it demonstrated that strong coupling gives rise to WP, which leads to TL with an exponent 2. The findings suggested that WP requires the individual oscillators constituting the coupled system to possess sufficiently fast intrinsic frequencies. Here, we show that WP and TL with an exponent 2 can be induced by a pacemaker oscillator, regardless of the magnitude of the intrinsic frequencies of the individual oscillators in a population. Specifically, even in a population composed of oscillators with slow intrinsic frequencies, WP and TL with an exponent 2 can be induced by coupling the population to a fast pacemaker. Furthermore, we demonstrate that WP and TL can also be induced in a population of non-self-oscillatory units by coupling them to a pacemaker. These results indicate that WP and TL with an exponent 2 are more universal than previously thought, extending beyond oscillator populations with fast intrinsic dynamics.
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Mathematical Physics · Cross-listed from math.AP

Arbitrary-Size Global Regularity for a Reduced Oldroyd-B Active-Line Model

We study a one-dimensional active-line equation motivated by thin stress-sheet dynamics in the high-Weissenberg Oldroyd-B regime. A positive periodic line density $\rho=m+\eta$ satisfies $\rho_t+cP_0\{\rho\Lambda\rho-(\mathcal H\rho)\rho_s\}+\gamma(\rho-m)=0$, where $\Lambda=\mathcal H\partial_s$ and $P_0f=f-\langle f\rangle$. We prove that every strictly positive smooth initial density of arbitrary size generates a unique global smooth solution. The key is the pointwise cancellation obtained after one differentiation: for $w=\rho_s$, $w_t+c\rho\Lambda w-c(\mathcal H\rho)w_s+\gamma w=0$. Its maximum principle controls the slope globally, while critical-drift Hölder and Schauder estimates close all higher derivatives. We also prove quantitative small-oscillation stability. Independently, an exact fourth-difference sum-of-squares identity gives $\int_{\mathbb T}\rho^2\Lambda^3\rho\,ds\geq0$ for every smooth nonnegative density. The stronger derivative-energy sign leads, in its sharp phase-opposed form, to the cubic convolution inequality $\mathcal C(x)\leq2AE_3$, where $A=\sum_{n\geq1}x_n$, $E_3=\sum_{n\geq1}n^3x_n^2$, and $\mathcal C(x)=\sum_{a,b\geq1}(a+b)(a^2+ab+b^2)x_ax_bx_{a+b}$. The constant $2$ is sharp along critical $n^{-3/2}$ plateaux. We prove the inequality for several cutoff-uniform and infinite-support classes, including selected Schur, dyadic-layer, Mellin, and moment families. The unrestricted inequality remains open, but it is not needed for the global regularity theorem.
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High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)

Radiative Corrections in Bound States: Recent Results

Two recent studies of radiative corrections to bound state properties are discussed. The change of the decay rate of a muon bound to a light nucleus has been calculated for several light nuclei $4\leq Z \leq 9$ with high precision, resolving a long-standing discrepancy between analytical and numerical results for oxygen ($Z=8$). The decay of parapositronium into three photons has been calculated including effects of the $Z$ boson. The resulting rate is many orders of magnitude smaller than previously estimated.
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Fluid Dynamics

Toward a Universal Framework for the Internal Gravity Wave Spectrum

The Garrett-Munk (GM) spectrum has long provided a canonical model of the oceanic internal gravity wave field. However, it relies on hydrostatic assumptions and idealized stratification that limit its applicability where non-hydrostatic dynamics, vertical boundary effects, or non-monotonic stratification are important. Here we develop a generalized framework for the internal wave spectrum based on non-hydrostatic vertical modes formulated in horizontal wavenumber-vertical mode space. Energetic orthogonality among wave modes requires that such a formulation be cast in horizontal wavenumber space rather than frequency space. In this formulation, the deformation radius associated with each vertical mode provides a proxy for distinguishing hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic regimes. Vertical modes are obtained numerically from the fixed-K Sturm-Liouville problem, allowing arbitrary stratification and multiple turning depths. Combined with a generalized spectral function, the formulation yields expected distributions of horizontal kinetic, vertical kinetic, and potential energy as functions of depth, frequency, and horizontal wavenumber. Example applications illustrate departures from GM theory associated with boundary effects and non-hydrostatic dynamics, including improved representation of vertical variance and high-frequency vertical kinetic energy, while reproducing observed features of horizontal wavenumber spectra.
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Materials Science

Thermal Corrections and Analysis on the Phase Stability of CsPbCl3 and Cs2AgSbCl6 during In-Situ Thermal Treatment

Cesium lead chloride (CsPbCl3) is a well known and principal model for inorganic perovskite halide optoelectronic research. The many available techniques including high temperature stability testing have been used to investigate the increasing interest in inorganic perovskites as primary layers in solar cell applications. Due to the nature of high temperature testing, the characterization technique, reproducibility, and the true sample temperature are vital in determining relative stability. By choosing CsPbCl3 in the investigation of the structural stability of perovskites at high temperatures, it acts as a baseline to create and verify a methodology that accurately probes sample temperature, phase transitions, and decomposition onsets. Therefore, we present a methodological approach to investigate the thermal interactions and stability of CsPbCl3 as a parent single perovskite halide based on ligand-assisted re-precipitation synthesis techniques. Where we use our approach to inform and probe thermal interactions in other cesium/chlorine compounds like Cs2AgSbCl6. By analyzing the stoichiometry and initial phases through investigations of the crystalline structure and particle morphology, we calculated temperature conversions using a control substrate and refinements to best estimate changing structure parameters. Using in-situ temperature dependent X-ray diffraction, we were able to effectively probe the phase transitions and decomposition temperatures of the investigated halide powders. Creating a process that can confirm known high temperature structural phenomena of model perovskite halides while verifying our true sample temperature. Which allowed for further testing on the thermal kinetics of on the double perovskite structure Cs2AgSbCl6 and will continue to allow us to test other perovskites and perovskite families of interest in modern high temperature perovskite halide research.
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All authors Ethan R. Cronk, Wenjun Xiang, Rachel Fister, Biswajit Ball, Feng Yan, Liping Yu, Nicholas S. Bingham

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

Exploring the physics behind the observed magnetic filaments in large scale radio galaxies

Recent low-frequency MeerKAT observations of radio galaxies have revealed an unexpected population of thin, highly collimated synchrotron threads, whose numbers continue to grow with increasing survey depth and sensitivity. These intricate structures display a remarkable diversity of morphologies – appearing as narrow filaments linking jets and lobes, as well as ring- or ribbon-like features embedded within the jets and radio lobes. Despite their ubiquity, the physical origin and stability of these collimated synchrotron threads remain poorly understood. Proposed mechanisms include shock compression and interactions with the magneto-ionic intracluster medium, magnetic flux tube formation, and reconnection-driven magnetic filaments. In this work, we investigate the formation and evolution of such magnetic filaments using three-dimensional, two-temperature general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of realistically launched jets from supermassive black holes. From these simulations, we compute synthetic synchrotron emission maps and polarisation signatures, allowing us to predict the observable characteristics including morphology, brightness profiles, and polarisation patterns. Finally, we assess the detectability and diagnostic potential of these signatures with the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), outlining how upcoming SKA observations can distinguish between competing physical models and illuminate the magnetic origin of the collimated synchrotron threads revealed by MeerKAT observations.
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