Materials Science
Compiling Chemical Knowledge into Executable Descriptors for Materials Prediction
Jaehwan Choi, Kunik Jang, Seongmin Kim et al. (+5 more)
Materials prediction depends critically on how scientific knowledge is represented, yet many governing considerations exist only as natural-
language heuristics that conventional learners cannot use. We introduce CRISP, a large
language model-assisted framework that treats representation construction as a rule-space exploration and compilation problem: it repeatedly samples target-relevant chemical rules without access to structures, labels or data splits, consolidates related concepts, and compiles each into an executable scalar descriptor supplied to a conventional learner. For positive-unlabeled inorganic-
crystal synthesizability, CRISP outperformed expert-curated and generic structural representations under a shared learner and surpassed purpose-built synthesizability models, with its advantage most pronounced under structural-size and chemical-family shifts. Infrequently generated rules contributed complementary predictive information, showing that generation frequency does not determine utility. The same workflow yielded competitive representations for formation energy and ionic conductivity while revealing task-dependent limits for shear modulus, establishing a
dataset-blind, auditable route from broad chemical knowledge to transferable computational representations.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Jaehwan Choi, Kunik Jang, Seongmin Kim, Shuan Chen, Kyungju Nam, Seung Hyo Noh, Donghwi Kim, Yousung Jung
Astrophysics of Galaxies
The Limited Lifetime of Self-Gravitating Accretion Disks In Galactic Centers
Isaac Shlosman
Globally self-gravitating
accretion disks in active
galactic nuclei (AGN) have been frequently discussed in the literature, but never observed. Few dozen mega-masering
accretion disks in AGN have been detected, which display a clear Keplerian rotation on scales of 0.1-1 pc, allowing to estimate their masses within the sphere of influence (SoI) of the central supermassive black holes (SMBHs) to be smaller by more than a factor of 10, compared with the parent SMBH masses. Furthermore, the
stellar components, deep inside the SoI, are dwarfed by the SMBH masses of M_BH ~ few X 10^6 - few X 10^7 Mo. Theoretically, no limit exists on sizes and masses of gaseous disks in AGN, which in principle, can exceed masses of their central compact objects. We analyze instabilities which can operate in gaseous disks, i.e., fragmentation for a locally dominant self-
gravity and spontaneous breaking of axial
symmetry for the globally self-gravitating disks. We invoke the gas response to the latter instability which leads to gravitational collapse, leaving a negligible mass behind and dynamically stable remnants. Consequently, the characteristic timescale for globally self-gravitating disks to exist in AGN should not exceed few rotations, t_phi ~ 10^{3-4} yrs for M_BH ~ 10^{6-8} Mo. Disk rebuilding is expected to be > 10^7 yrs, meaning that probability of finding is < 10^{-3}, which explains their lack of detection. We conclude that observed sub-parsec disks in AGN, at least the Keplerian masering ones, can be remnants of globally self-gravitating
accretion disks, and the instability timescale can be related to the duty cycle of AGN, t_duty ~ 10t_phi ~ 10^{4-5} yr.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Theory)
Tidal effects on radiation in gravitational shockwave collisions
Isabelle Blackstad, Himanshu Raj and Raju Venugopalan
We compute high frequency gravitational wave radiation in shockwave collisions of a light mass compact object with energy $\mu_L$ off a heavy compact object (black hole) with energy $\mu_H \gg \mu_L$. A formal solution is obtained in terms of shockwave propagators that provide snapshots of $O(\mu_L\mu_H^n)$
tidal response functions sensitive to classical and potentially semi-classical dynamics of black hole formation. In a perturbative expansion, the first nontrivial contribution of $O(\mu_L\mu_H)$ is the emission of a graviton from the Lipatov vertex generated by the fusion of two reggeized gravitons. For graviton frequencies $\omega\rightarrow 0$, the Lipatov amplitude reduces to the ultrarelativistic limit of the single-graviton exchange Weinberg amplitude. At $O(\mu_L\mu_H^2)$, the Lipatov amplitude includes a piece accounting for the rescattering of the graviton off a reggeized graviton and another, corresponding to graviton emission from a vertex fusing three reggeized gravitons. These nontrivial contributions again simplify to the Weinberg radiative amplitude for two-graviton exchange in the soft limit. We highlight throughout double copy structures to
gluon radiation in dilute-dense collisions of Yang-Mills shockwaves. We relate our shockwave results to the eikonal multiple scattering framework of Veneziano et al.
Read the full abstract ▾
Quantum Physics
Network steering with arbitrarily low detection efficiency of any entangled measurement
Shubhayan Sarkar
Quantum nonlocality and its asymmetric counterpart,
quantum steering, are among the most intriguing manifestations of
quantum mechanics. From a theoretical perspective, they are not only of fundamental significance but also hold promise for a wide range of applications. However, the stringent technological requirements for their experimental observation in a loophole-free way have largely restricted their realization to foundational demonstrations. A major challenge in these setups is the limited detection efficiency of current detectors as to observe nonlocality or steering in the standard scenarios, one requires detectors above a certain critical efficiency which can only be achieved with superconducting detectors. Considering the simplest
quantum network, we demonstrate here that
quantum steering between two parties, can be demonstrated for any non-zero detection efficiency, if the sources in the network generate states above a critical visibility well-within the current practical limits. This form of
quantum steering in networks, is termed swap-steering. Moreover, when the sources are perfect, swap-steering can be observed using any entangled measurement on the untrusted side, even with arbitrarily low detection efficiency. Consequently, two major loopholes, the detection-loophole as well as free-will loophole can be closed easily in
quantum steering experiments, when implemented using networks.
Read the full abstract ▾
Quantum Physics
Diamond optomechanical crystals for high-frequency strain and comb generation
Elham Zohari, Waleed El-Sayed, Aria Jafari et al. (+5 more)
Quantum optomechanical technologies benefit from mechanical oscillators that are high-frequency, can be coherently driven, and are capable of coupling to other
quantum systems. Diamond supports all of these criteria: its large elastic modulus increases mechanical resonance frequency, its low nonlinear optical absorption increases the allowed intensity of fields used for coherent optomechanics, and it hosts
spin qubits that interact with mechanical modes. Here we demonstrate a diamond optomechanical
crystal cavity that supports multiple mechanical resonances with $\sim$12 GHz frequency and high $Q_\text{m} \times f_\text{m}$ product that can be coherently coupled to multiple optical modes. By exciting this sideband resolved system into mechanical self-sustained oscillations, we generate a frequency comb spanning 143 GHz. Analysis of the comb spectrum, combined with systematic characterization of the system's optomechanical coupling, allows us to quantitatively show that its mechanical oscillation amplitude reaches 130 pm. This corresponds to a maximum total dynamic strain of $1.1 \times 10^{-3}$ that is sufficiently high for future demonstrations of optomechanical control of diamond
spin qubits.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Elham Zohari, Waleed El-Sayed, Aria Jafari, Ahmas El-hamamsy, Peyman Parsa, Joseph E. Losby, Natália C. Carvalho, Paul E. Barclay
Plasma Physics
Towards Large-Scale Heterogeneous Data Organization for Scientific Foundation Models: A Nuclear Fusion Case Study
Nathaniel Chen, Kouroche Bouchiat, Peter Steiner et al. (+3 more)
Training effective foundation models requires massive and organized
datasets, yet scientific domains such as
nuclear fusion present unique challenges due to largely heterogeneous and sparse data. Here we characterize the data used in developing such a model: with over 20 sensor types spanning 5 orders of magnitude in sampling rate, mixed tensor structures (point measurements, spectrograms, images), and nonstationary physics. We analyze our input complexity and discuss trade-offs between temporal context and frequency resolution. Our analysis provides a template for representing multi-modal fluctuation data at scale, with implications for both multi-modal control systems and
nuclear fusion.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Nathaniel Chen, Kouroche Bouchiat, Peter Steiner, Azarakhsh Jalalvand, SangKyeun Kim, Egemen Kolemen
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Measuring Extragalactic Microlens Masses and Motions in Strongly Lensed Quasar Systems with Intensity Interferometry
Abigail Moran and Ken Van Tilburg
The direct measurement of masses and transverse motions of individual
stars and compact objects in distant
galaxies remains an outstanding challenge, leaving extragalactic
stellar populations constrained only through model-dependent population fits. We show that time-resolved intensity interferometry of strongly lensed
quasars, combined with flux-ratio photometry, can break the source-size, microlens-mass, and transverse-velocity degeneracies of conventional light-curve microlensing. Using the quadruply lensed
quasar B1422+231 as a fiducial system and a next-generation interferometer ($\sim$800\,m$^2$ collecting area, spectral resolving power of 20,000, and few-picosecond timing), we forecast the precision on the
quasar source size and on the mass, position, and transverse motion of an individual
stellar-mass microlens in the lens
galaxy. A single epoch determines the
accretion disk size to $4\%$ in favorable geometries ($10\%$ for a typical detectable configuration) and the microlens mass to order unity for $m_l \gtrsim 0.1\,M_\odot$. An eight-year, 33-epoch campaign reaches $\lesssim1\%$ on the disk size, localizes the microlens' impact parameter to $\sim0.1$-$0.5,\mu\mathrm{as}$, and resolves its proper motion. Such observations would enable direct measurements of individual extragalactic compact-object masses and transverse motions at moderate
redshift. They also yield sub-$\mu\mathrm{as}\,\mathrm{yr}^{-2}$ sensitivity to light-centroid acceleration, which can help separate
stellar microlensing from dark matter substructure
lensing, the subject of a companion paper.
Read the full abstract ▾
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Stellar Flares Rather than High $T_{int}$ As Possible Cause for the Missing Methane in Young Exoplanets: The Case Study of V1298~Tau\,b
Danica Adams, Pierre-Alexis Roy, Hilke Schlichting et al. (+1 more)
Recent observations of V1298~Tau\,b, a warm sub-Neptune (R$=9.85 \pm 0.3\,R_\oplus$, M$=13.1 \pm 5.3, M_\oplus$, T$_\mathrm{eq} = 670\,$K) orbiting a young (10-30\,Myr) K
star, show depleted methane and surprising abundances of CO$_2$ in its atmosphere. This makes the
planet an interesting target to study the "missing methane problem", where HST, Spitzer, and JWST have revealed many sub-Jovian
planets with effective temperatures cooler than 800\,K to be depleted in methane compared to
equilibrium chemistry predictions. On V1298~Tau\,b, an intrinsic temperature (T$_\mathrm{int}$) of 500\,K is required to explain the methane depletion if strong mixing from a warm interior is the reason for the missing methane, but this T$_\mathrm{int}$ is too large for a
planet of its age and size according to standard interior structure
evolution theories. Here, we show that
stellar flares can result in methane depletion in a warm
planet's atmosphere with nominal T$_\mathrm{int} \sim 100$\,K. During a
stellar flare, fast methane photolysis rates cannot be balanced by
diffusion from below into the upper atmospheric layers probed by observations. Young active
stars flare frequently, and we show that the timescale of
diffusion for the methane to recover from a
flare-induced depletion can be slow compared to the
flare frequency. Over time, the atmosphere reaches a new steady state set by the average
flare frequency and energy. This new steady state shows depleted methane in the 2\,mbar region, and abundant CO, CO${_2}$, and HCN, which results in synthetic transmission spectra that reproduce the main features of the recent JWST observations of V1298~Tau\,b.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Danica Adams, Pierre-Alexis Roy, Hilke Schlichting, Björn Benneke
Quantum Physics
Quantum Resource Estimation for Simulating the SYK Model with Trotterization, qDRIFT, and Asymmetric Qubitization
Brian Goldsmith, Larissa Kroell and Nishna Aerabati
The Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model has been identified as a promising candidate to run on early fault-tolerant
quantum computers due to the relatively modest resources required to probe non-trivial physics (namely
holographic duality and AdS/CFT correspondence). As such, it is crucial that the details of how to run such a simulation are well understood. Using PsiQuantum's Construct platform, we implement and analyze three different approaches to simulate the SYK model: Trotterization, qDRIFT, and asymmetric qubitization with
Quantum Signal Processing. We provide an open-source library containing implementations for SYK simulation using all three methods, which we use to obtain
quantum resource estimates for
qubit and T gate count as functions of the number of Majorana modes and precision. We find that while qDRIFT and Trotterization benefit from a lower
qubit count, the large number of T gates required lead to asymmetric qubitization being advantageous in most cases. This reinforces previous theoretical considerations. We intend both the implementations and the estimates to be useful for researchers to continue to study the SYK model and understand how the techniques and resources vary.
Read the full abstract ▾
Soft Condensed Matter
Scale-free correlations in extremely persistent active matter
Grzegorz Szamel
Scale-free correlations are believed to be generic in out of
equilibrium systems but their explicit derivations are rare and often involve approximations. Here we analyze a system of infinitely persistent active Brownian particles in the low density and small-swim-velocity limit. We show that both the density and swim velocity correlations decay algebraically as r^{-(d+1)} (with logarithmic corrections in d=2). In reciprocal space these correlations manifest themselves as cusps at k=0. The analytical predictions are confirmed by numerical simulations. The results were obtained through interaction with Claude (Opus 4.8 and 5, and Fable 5) and verified by the author.
Read the full abstract ▾
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Dust and PAHs in late-stage galaxy evolution: Imprints of TP-AGB dust injection, grain growth and AGN feedback in high-z quiescent galaxies with JWST and ALMA
D. Donevski, A. Nanni, K. E. Whitaker et al. (+9 more)
A major unknown in late-stage
galaxy evolution is what regulates the cold interstellar medium (ISM) after quenching, a question central to interpreting molecular gas,
dust, and
stellar content in quiescent
galaxies (QGs) now probed by ALMA and JWST to $z\sim7$. We present the first semi-analytic model that follows the coupled post-quenching
evolution of
dust, cold gas, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using flexible
star-formation histories and a framework tracking small and large carbonaceous and silicate grains. At $z\sim1$, we find that QGs of similar mass ($M_\star\sim8\times10^{10} M_\odot$),
stellar-population age ($\sim2$ Gyr), and cold gas fractions ($f_{\rm gas}\sim1$-$10\%$), span $2$-$3$ dex in $M_{\rm dust}/M_\star$ and $M_{\rm dust}/M_{\rm gas}$, ranging from
star-forming-like ratios to highly depleted
dust states. The diversity arises from delayed
dust injection by thermally pulsing asymptotic
giant branch (TP-AGB)
stars and ISM grain growth, which sustain
dust enrichment for up to $\sim2.5$ Gyr after quenching. Without these channels, the pre-quenching $M_{\rm dust}$ falls below $10\%$ of its initial value within $\lesssim0.5$-$1$ Gyr, and twice as fast when AGN feedback is active. The imprint of post-quenching
dust processing persists in substantial reservoirs of small carbonaceous grains, with PAH fractions of $\sim2$-$3\%$, even if the cold-
dust budget falls below typical ALMA continuum detection limits ($M_{\rm dust}/M_\star\lesssim10^{-4}$). Such signatures may remain detectable with JWST/MIRI at $\mu$Jy depths, probing chemically enriched
dust phases in otherwise ALMA-faint
galaxies. Altogether,
dust and PAHs provide independent probes of distinct stages of ISM
evolution in QGs, rather than simply tracing the residual cold ISM of the preceding
star-forming phase.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors D. Donevski, A. Nanni, K. E. Whitaker, A. W. S. Man, A. Faisst, A. Lapi, I. García-Bernete, M. Romano, T. Petrushevska, G. Gururajan, G. Lorenzon, D. Narayanan
Quantum Physics
Quantifying the Dual-isotope Advantage for Ytterbium-array Surface Codes using Realistic Noise Models
Fumiyoshi Kobayashi, Toshi Kusano, Nicholas Fazio et al. (+1 more)
Neutral-atom
quantum computers are a promising platform for fault-tolerant
quantum computation, but logical performance depends on systemic realistic noise factors during syndrome extraction. In dual-isotope Yb arrays, the roles of data and ancilla
qubits are separated spectrally, allowing ancilla
qubits to be measured in place without additional transport or shelving operations. Here we quantify the advantage of a dual-isotope Yb architecture for surface code
memories. We develop an experimentally motivated Clifford-compatible noise model for dual-isotope 171Yb-174Yb systems using generalised Pauli twirling and implement it as a wrapper for Stim called DualYbSim, which has been packaged as an open source Python library. Simulations of rotated and XZZX surface codes show that a dual-isotope architecture with in-place measurement achieves the lowest logical error rates among the architectures considered, outperforming single-isotope schemes based on shelving or zoned measurement. Our error-budget analysis also identifies Rydberg-state decay as the dominant limitation, contributing to 74-80% of the logical error rate scaling, highlighting concrete experimental targets for improving FTQC performance.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Fumiyoshi Kobayashi, Toshi Kusano, Nicholas Fazio, Yuma Nakamura
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Exploring the capabilities of combined modelling strategies for supernova with relativistic jets using Redback
L. Cotter, N. Sarin and A. Martin-Carrillo
Events in which a
supernova (SN) is associated with a relativistic jet present multi-component light curves. In the past, the analysis of such complex light curves was carried out largely by investigating each component individually due to limitations in modelling and inference. Such decoupled analyses are susceptible to biased parameter estimation due to cross-contamination between the emission of the relativistic jet and the SN. Additionally, differences in adopted methodologies make it difficult to compare physical parameters across populations. In this work, we investigate three common modelling strategies adopted for events where a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) is associated with an SN and compare them with a joint model and inference approach. We assess the ability of each approach to fit and reproduce the true injection parameters of 1000 simulated GRB-SN
datasets using Redback. We split these
datasets into three common GRB-SN light curve morphologies: one where the SN is dominant, one where the GRB is dominant, and one where the SN and GRB have relatively equal contributions to the light curve. We also investigate the behaviour of each modelling technique when the jet break of the GRB afterglow occurs at early times and at late times. We find that treating each component independently with an individual model leads to significant bias in the estimated parameters even though the resulting best fit to the data may appear acceptable. We further demonstrate that afterglow subtraction is unreliable for GRB-SN modelling as uncertainties in the afterglow fit are not fully propagated into the resulting afterglow-subtracted light curve. Instead, our results show that jointly modelling the relativistic jet and SN components provides the most reliable modelling approach, particularly when multi-band X-ray and
radio observations are available.
Read the full abstract ▾
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
TDCOSMO. XXVII. JWST-based Lens Models and H$_0$ Measurement of WFI2033, HE0435, and PG1115
D. M. Williams, T. Treu, D. P. Johnson et al. (+13 more)
Time-delay cosmography offers a one-step, distance-ladder-independent route to the Hubble-Lemaitre constant, H_0. We present new cosmography-grade lens models of three quadruply imaged
quasars based on JWST-NIRCam/F115W imaging (WFI2033-4723, HE0435-1223, PG1115+080). We use the STARRED modeling technique, introduced in our previous analysis of WFI2033-4723, to reconstruct the complex JWST-NIRCam Point Spread Function at high fidelity. We combine NIRCam-based lens models with improved external convergence estimates, published time delays, and aperture-integrated
stellar velocity dispersions from JWST NIRSpec to infer H_0. The analysis was carried out blindly for HE0435-1223 and PG1115+080, while it was not blind for WFI2033-4723, as we build upon the previous published model. For comparison with previous HST-based work, we limit our analysis to the case of no internal mass-sheet degeneracy ($\lambda_{\rm int}=1$). We quantify the impact of improved imaging, single-aperture kinematics, and environment measurements on central values and uncertainties. Within flat $\Lambda$CDM, assuming a uniform prior on $\Omega_{\rm m}$, we find H_0 = 71.8$_{-7.0}^{+9.2}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for PG1115+080, 74.2$_{-4.2}^{+4.2}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for HE0435-1223, and 73.4$_{-4.4}^{+3.4}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for WFI2033-4723. Combining the three lenses yields H_0 = 73.5$_{-2.8}^{+2.7}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$, consistent with HST-based results (73.6$_{-2.6}^{+2.6}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$), but with reduced scatter between the three systems. These models will be incorporated in the TDCOSMO-2026 milestone paper with free $\lambda_{\rm int}$ in a hierarchical fashion. We close by outlining how 16 forthcoming JWST NIRCam targets will further tighten uncertainties toward percent-level precision on H_0.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors D. M. Williams, T. Treu, D. P. Johnson, P. Mozumdar, S. Knabel, S. Birrer, C. D. Fassnacht, A. Galan, A. J. Shajib, K. C. Wong, M. Cappellari, F. Courbin, T. Morishita, V. Motta, D. Sluse, M. Stiavelli
Quantum Physics
Spectral Theory of Semisimple Bivariate Bicycle Codes
Eric Sabo, Mahir Bilen Can and David Marquis
Extending the classical theory of two-dimensional cyclic codes, we develop an algebraic approach to bivariate bicycle codes. Using Frobenius-orbit idempotents, formulas for logical dimensions are derived and lower bounds on minimum distances are established. A systematic theory of code
symmetries is formulated to construct a structured block-monomial subgroup of coordinate permutations. Several explicit examples show how to generate these codes from first principles without relying on numerical searches. An appendix extends the analysis to BCH-based product constructions.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Theory)
An Algebraic Obstruction to Ising Criticality for Finite-BCH Entanglers in Wavelet MERA
Enrico Bertuzzo, Olindo Corradini and Claudia Frugiuele
The computational treatment of non-Gaussian entanglers could pose a significant challenge when extending the Multi-Scale
Entanglement Renormalization Ansatz (MERA) to interacting
quantum field theories. A natural strategy is therefore to consider
polynomial entanglers for which the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff (BCH) expansion terminates at finite order. In this work, we identify an algebraic obstruction that limits the universality classes accessible to this family of entanglers. Working within the wavelet MERA (wMERA) framework applied to the interacting $\phi^4$ theory in two dimensions, we show analytically that the effective potential generated by any finite-BCH
polynomial entangler is necessarily of Landau form in the generic case, establishing mean-field universality for the full class; in non-generic, degenerate cases the resulting exponent departs from mean-field but still fails to reproduce the Ising value. As a numerical illustration, the critical exponent $\beta$ remains consistent with its mean-field value $\beta = 1/2$ across all ansätze considered, with no drift toward the Ising value $\beta = 1/8$ as the nonlocality range or variational complexity increases. Reproducing non-mean-field criticality therefore might require non-
polynomial or infinite-BCH constructions.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Theory)
AdS/CFT, Ultralimits and Baby universes
Eyoab Bahiru
We propose boundary theories, CFT$_{p}$ with $p\in \beta\mathbb{N}/\mathbb{N}$, which can be interpreted as an ensemble of theories in the context of AdS/CFT duality, when the boundary spacetime dimension is more than one. These theories are only emergent in the infinite $N$ limit of the boundary CFT and depend on $p$, which corresponds to the different ways one can take a generalized form of the infinite $N$ limit, in the presence of a chaotic or an oscillatory operator. This generalized infinite $N$ limit is called an ultralimit, and $p$ is a free ultrafilter on $\mathbb{N}$. We propose that the gravitational path integral computes an average of CFT$_{p}$ in each of its sectors; and in the appropriate cases, it produces baby universes and spacetime wormholes. We apply this proposal to the Antonini-Sasieta-Swingle (AS$^{2}$) like states.
Read the full abstract ▾
Quantum Physics
Pulling strings in real time: flux tube dynamics in (2+1)-d $\mathbb{Z}_2$-Higgs Gauge Theories
Zeno Bacciconi, Martina Frau, Luca Tagliacozzo et al. (+2 more)
Understanding real-time flux-tube dynamics in more than one spatial dimension is key to unlocking the non-perturbative physics of confinement, and is now actively pursued by
quantum computing and simulation experiments. However, describing such dynamics has proven to be extremely challenging with both experiments and state-of-the-art numerical simulations limited to small volumes and short timescales. Here we investigate flux tube statics and real-time
evolution in a genuine two-dimensional $\mathbb{Z}_2$
Higgs gauge theory at system sizes and timescales order of magnitude beyond present experiments and numerics. The key enabling element is the recently introduced Clifford-augmented
matrix product states (CAMPS) framework, which we demonstrate to parametrically reduce the
entanglement that must be represented in the
matrix product state; both in the pure-gauge limit and in the presence of dynamical matter. We
benchmark this capability through stringent tests of effective string theory, including universal spectral features and flux tube roughening properties in presence of matter. We then introduce a string-pull protocol that selectively excites transverse modes and reconstructs their finite-size spectrum in real time. In the rough regime, the response is collective, and our simulations show that this is also well captured by universal effective string theory predictions. Strong confinement instead produces long-lived,
lattice-locked local dynamics persisting to times $tJ \gtrsim 100$. These results provide ab initio evidence that effective string theory captures nonequilibrium string dynamics and reveal a hitherto unexplored long-lived prethermal regime of strongly confined flux tubes, providing a novel angle on how confinement dictates dynamics in more than one spatial dimension.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Zeno Bacciconi, Martina Frau, Luca Tagliacozzo, Michele Caselle, Marcello Dalmonte
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Resolved Dust in $z\approx1$ Galaxies with JWST/MIRI MRS: Survey Description and First View on PAHs, Mid-IR Atomic Emission, and Warm H$_2$
Wuji Wang, Andreas L. Faisst, Thomas S.-Y. Lai et al. (+16 more)
Dust is a key component of
galaxies that regulates their thermal balance and, consequently,
star formation and the build-up of
stellar mass. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are responsible for reprocessing radiative energy of the
galaxies thus tracing
dust evolution. Using JWST/MIRI MRS, we present the first resolved view of the PAHs and mid-infrared emission lines in a sample of eight $z\approx1$
galaxies. A key novelty is our ability to directly map PAH emission near the end of
cosmic noon at JWST's limits. The sample is selected to be on the
star-forming main-sequence with
stellar masses $M_{\star}=10^{10.6-11.2}\,M_{\odot}$ and infrared luminosities $L_{\rm IR}=10^{11.5-11.9}\,L_{\odot}$. Two of them contain active
galactic nuclei (AGN), and two are interacting systems. We detect and quantify primary PAH emissions from 3.3$\,\rm \mu m$ to 11.3$\,\rm\mu m$ throughout the
galaxies, alongside atomic fine structure lines (Ar, Ne, and Fe), Br$\alpha$, and H$_{2}$ rotational transitions. Through PAH ratio diagnostics and comparison to theoretical models, we qualitatively probe the physical properties of PAH molecules, i.e., size and charge. The AGN and mergers in our sample exhibit a higher fraction of neutral PAHs, possibly related to high radiation intensity and/or shocks, as suggested by increased atomic and H$_{2}$ line ratios. Leveraging the IFU data, we find that the grain sizes of the centrally located PAHs tend to be larger and less ionized than those in the outskirts of the
galaxies. Finally, we compare our results to observations of PAHs in local and similar-
redshift galaxies, revealing a potential evolutionary trend when controlling $L_{\rm IR}$.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Wuji Wang, Andreas L. Faisst, Thomas S.-Y. Lai, Kyle Finner, Jed McKinney, Andrew J. Battisti, Irene Shivaei, Leindert A. Boogaard, Daizhong Liu, Yu-Heng Lin, Lun-Jun Liu, Georgios Magdis, Vincenzo Mainieri, Alexander Rodriguez, John D. Silverman, Zhaoxuan Liu, Minju M. Lee, Ghassem Gozaliasl, Maximilien Franco
High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)
Next-to-Leading-Order Electroweak Corrections to Quantum Observables in Lepton-Lepton Collisions
Spencer Chang, Thomas Driscoll and Sokratis Trifinopoulos
We study how virtual next-to-leading-order electroweak corrections affect the
quantum observables of
entanglement and magic in
lepton–
lepton collisions. Treating the outgoing particles as multi-qudit systems, $\textit{i.e.}$,
qubits for
spin-$\tfrac{1}{2}$
fermions and qutrits for massive vector
bosons, we compute
entanglement entropy and the stabilizer second Rényi
entropy for the processes $\ell^+\ell^- \to \tau^-\tau^+,\, ZZ$ at one-loop accuracy. We show that radiative corrections coherently modify the
quantum structure of the final state, shifting regions of maximal
entanglement and altering the generated magic relative to leading order. Our results demonstrate that these
quantum observables provide novel, precision-sensitive probes of electroweak dynamics at future
lepton colliders and open a path toward their use in searches for new physics.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)
KOFFEE: Kaon Observables at Future Fermilab Experimental Extensions
Cari Cesarotti and Samuel Homiller
The rare decays $K^+\to\pi^+\nu\bar\nu$ and $K_L\to\pi^0\nu\bar\nu$ are among the most precisely predicted
flavor observables, enabling determinations of the CKM
matrix and its CP-violating phase, as well as providing sensitivity to new physics at scales far beyond the reach of
colliders. We propose a dedicated rare-kaon program at Fermilab, exploiting the high-intensity
proton complex currently under construction for its
neutrino programs and potential
collider R&D. In this letter, we estimate the achievable kaon flux and project the sensitivity to the aforementioned kaon golden modes, as well as the reach on new dynamics in the UV with an EFT framework. Such a program could measure both modes with unprecedented precision, probe new physics up to $\mathcal{O}(100)$ TeV, and determine the unitarity triangle from kaon processes alone. All this can be achieved while sharing infrastructure with other frontier programs.
Read the full abstract ▾
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
Discovering Substellar Dark Matter Halos with Astrometric Weak Lensing of Multiply Imaged Quasars
Ken Van Tilburg and David E. Kaplan
We propose time-domain astrometric weak
lensing of multiply imaged
quasars as a probe of substellar dark matter (DM)
halos. In $\Lambda$CDM, each macro-image's light traverses many microhalos, producing a
stochastic centroid motion with a calculable red power spectrum.
Halos with crossing times longer than the survey impart a relative angular acceleration between image pairs. The response peaks at subhalo scale radii 0.005-2 pc and masses $3\times10^{-6}$-$10^2\,M_\odot$, 12-14 orders of magnitude below the smallest detected DM structures, down to the damping cutoffs of a 100 GeV thermal relic. We forecast the sensitivity of ten-year campaigns with 300 epochs for two
benchmark systems: the
galaxy-lensed quadruple B1422+231 at a 0.1 $\mu$as per-epoch precision forecast for extended-path intensity correlation, and the cluster-lensed triple SDSS J1029+2623 at 1 $\mu$as. The angular-acceleration channel reaches the standard $\Lambda$CDM microhalo population with a variance signal-to-noise ratio of order ten for the
galaxy lens (order unity after
stellar microlensing subtraction) and 0.35 for the cluster under the optimistic assumption that 10% of the projected mass density at the image positions resides in surviving microhalos. A positive detection would: raise universal lower bounds on the DM particle mass to $\gtrsim400$ keV for
fermions and $\gtrsim10^{-12}$ eV for
bosons; constrain the DM kinetic decoupling temperature to $\gtrsim 10$ MeV; and be sensitive to the running of the spectral tilt at the 0.01 level over 15-20 e-folds of the
primordial curvature power spectrum. A robust null result across well-characterized lenses would constrain microhalo survival and/or imply violations of the above inequalities. These signatures motivate differential astrometric observations with extreme 0.1-1 $\mu$as light-centroiding precision on multiply imaged
quasars. [Abridged]
Read the full abstract ▾
Instrumentation and Detectors
A microwave SQUID multiplexing concept for macro-cryogenic calorimeter arrays
N. Ferreiro Iachellini, P. Szypryt, L. Canonica et al. (+10 more)
Massive cryogenic calorimeters read out by transition-edge sensors (TES) can reach eV-scale baseline resolution, but the single-channel dc-SQUID readout conventionally used in rare-event searches, with one amplifier chain and several wires per detector, limits practical arrays to a few tens of channels. We propose to apply microwave SQUID multiplexing ($\mu$MUX), developed for fast X-ray and
neutrino-mass microcalorimeters, to massive BGO (Bi$_4$Ge$_3$O$_{12}$) calorimeters operated at $\simeq 20$~mK; sapphire and TeO$_2$ absorbers are covered by the same framework. Using the established thermal and noise model for massive TES calorimeters, we derive a noise model for the multiplexed readout, including the HEMT, two-level-system and SQUID contributions, and its scaling with the multiplexing factor $N_{\rm mux}$. Since the slow thermal signals require only about a kHz of sampling per channel, the limiting requirement is not bandwidth but an input-coil sensitivity of $( 0.1$ to $1)\,\mu$A$/\Phi_0$, a factor of $10$ to $30$ beyond current $\mu$MUX devices, matched to the detector current noise of ($9$ to $10$)~pA$/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$, which is independent of the absorber mass. With a total flux noise of $\simeq$$1.2\,\mu\Phi_0/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$, the readout degrades the baseline resolution by less than $2\%$ up to $N_{\rm mux}=1000$, negligible compared with the TES-limited resolution. These results are implemented in a single-tower design: 52 BGO
crystals of 100~g each and one HEMT amplifier. The tower is the unit of a multi-tower array of several kilograms aimed at CE$\nu$NS and dark matter searches.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors N. Ferreiro Iachellini, P. Szypryt, L. Canonica, W. B. Doriese, M. Durkin, A. Giachero, J. A. B. Mates, A. Nucciotti, L. Pattavina, S. Quitadamo, C. Shiu, J. N. Ullom, M. R. Vissers
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
A first-principles binary neutron star merger model of GW170817, GRB170817A, and AT2017gfo
Kenta Kiuchi, Sho Fujibayashi, Kota Hayashi et al. (+6 more)
The multimessenger observation of the binary
neutron star merger event GW170817, associated with its electromagnetic counterparts GRB170817A and AT2017gfo, marked a milestone in astrophysics, yet its unified physical explanation remains elusive. We conduct an end-to-end simulation based on a first-principles general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics
neutrino-radiation transfer merger simulation, followed by nucleosynthesis calculations and
photon radiative transfer to generate kilonova light curves. We show that the large-scale dynamo simultaneously produces a relativistic jet with an isotropic-equivalent luminosity of $\sim 10^{51}~{\rm erg~s^{-1}}$ and $\approx 0.08M_\odot$ of
neutron-rich ejecta, reproducing the GRB170817A afterglow and the AT2017gfo kilonova light curves. Our results establish a unified first-principles framework for interpreting binary
neutron star mergers across gravitational wave, gamma-ray burst, and kilonova observations.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Kenta Kiuchi, Sho Fujibayashi, Kota Hayashi, Kyohei Kawaguchi, Quentin Pognan, Alexis Reboul-Salze, Yuichiro Sekiguchi, Masaru Shibata, Shinya Wanajo
Mathematical Physics
Euler Topological Metals in 1D
Yichen Hu and Jacob Shapiro
We give a rigorous one-dimensional formulation of Kane's transport proposal for probing the Euler characteristic of a
Fermi sea. For a clean, translation-invariant continuum
Hamiltonian with real-analytic dispersion, a
Fermi sea confined to a finite momentum range, and nonzero
Fermi velocity at every
Fermi point, we analyze a particular Abel-regularized transport response (obtained by tracing over the
Fermi sea) and prove that its large-time limit equals the Euler characteristic. We derive an explicit finite-time formula, show that quantization requires the large-time limit, and obtain a convergence rate under additional nonstationarity assumptions. We also prove the
lattice analog, where the sharp commutator is trace-class and a completely filled band contributes zero. Finite-volume calculations illustrate the prescribed order of the thermodynamic and large-time limits.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)
Imperfect axions with no domain wall problem
Marco Gorghetto, Edward Hardy, Gilad Perez et al. (+1 more)
Post-inflationary
axion theories with domain wall number $N>1$ suffer from a domain wall problem. We show analytically, and confirm via simulations, that there is a region of phenomenologically viable parameter space for such theories with additional PQ-violating operators. Contrary to the conventional picture, in such theories the beyond-QCD PQ violation destroys the
axion strings before the QCD
axion potential becomes cosmologically relevant. This regime is realized for
axion decay constants $f_a \lesssim 10^{10} \, \rm GeV$, pointing to a QCD
axion mass in the $10^{-3}-10^{-2}\,{\rm eV}$ range. The required additional PQ violation induces a
neutron electric dipole moment within two orders of magnitude of the current experimental limit, placing it within the reach of upcoming
neutron electric dipole moment experiments.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Marco Gorghetto, Edward Hardy, Gilad Perez, Stefan Stelzl
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Collinear altermagnetism for 3D chiral higher-order topological insulators
Andreas Hadjipaschalis and Jennifer Cano
Despite significant progress in the study of higher-order topological
insulators (HOTIs), the
chiral $C_4\mathcal{T}$-protected HOTI has remained elusive in electronic materials, where $C_4\mathcal{T}$ denotes the product of a four-fold rotation and time-reversal
symmetry. We show that altermagnetism, a recently discovered form of collinear magnetism, provides a new route to realize this elusive phase. Specifically, we construct a microscopic model that combines a three-dimensional topological
insulator with a collinear $d$-wave altermagnet on a Lieb
lattice. Through analytical and numerical calculations, we show that the magnetism shifts and gaps the surface Dirac cones to produce the desired
chiral hinge channels. Finally, we identify promising material classes to realise our proposal. Our results establish collinear altermagnetism as a route to intrinsic
chiral higher-order
topology and open a new path toward the discovery of $C_4\mathcal{T}$-protected HOTIs in real materials.
Read the full abstract ▾
High Energy Physics (Phenomenology)
Detecting Axion-Like Particles With Coiled Optical Fibers I: Silica Fibers
Gia Dvali, Sebastian Zell and Tongxuan Zhang
We propose a new approach to
axion-like particle (ALP) searches based on long, coiled optical fibers in an external
magnetic field. We develop the theoretical framework required to describe
photon-ALP conversion in this geometry by incorporating transverse boundary conditions and fiber bending. For solid silica fibers with refractive index considerably larger than unity, we show that the leading signal is a phase shift of the
photon, with negligible loss due to ALP production. This setup has the potential to set new constraints in the regime of large ALP mass. We further identify parameter regions in which boundary effects become important, in particular for hollow-core fibers, where signals due to ALPs can be significantly enhanced.
Read the full abstract ▾
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
CHARA Array Observations of the Evolved Components in Symbiotic Star Systems
Thomas Martin Gaudin, Ryan Norris, Magdalena Otulakowska-Hypka et al. (+30 more)
The nature of the mechanisms that drive mass transfer in symbiotic
stars remains an area of active research in
stellar astronomy. Constraining the role that both
stellar winds and Roche-lobe overflow play in this process is crucial to improving our understanding of these binaries and connecting them to important transient events such as recurrent novae and Type Ia
supernovae. The high-resolution capabilities of an optical interferometer can resolve the
geometric structure of the red
giant in symbiotic
stars and help answer this question. This work presents the results of an optical interferometric study using the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array for the purpose of measuring the angular diameter of and imaging the cool
giant in four symbiotic and related systems. Here we report H band observations collected with MIRC-X. Model fitting and image reconstruction are used to test for Roche-lobe-filling geometries. Near-simultaneous infrared spectroscopy taken using the NASA InfraRed
Telescope Facility (IRTF) is used to determine the fundamental
stellar parameters of the cool
giant in each system. The parametric fits reported here favor circularly symmetric disk models over elongated geometries, while imaging suggests the presence of surface features on three of these
stars. We find that the three systems with constrained orbits have inferred time-averaged filling factors below unity.
Read the full abstract ▾
All authors Thomas Martin Gaudin, Ryan Norris, Magdalena Otulakowska-Hypka, Rachael M. Roettenbacher, Nirupam Roy, Yesenia Beltran, Cameron Caruso, Cody Gustafson, Mason Earick, Andrew Kotowski, Rebecca Proni, Jacob Sandusky, Fabien Baron, Michelle J. Creech-Eakman, John D. Monnier, Stefan Kraus, Narsireddy Anugu, Jean-Baptiste Le Bouquin, Sorabh Chhabra, Isabelle Codron, Calire Davies, Jacob Ennis, Tyler Gardner, Mayra Gutierrez, Noura Ibrahim, Cyprien Lanthermann, Benjamin R. Setterholm, Christopher D. Farrington, Olli Majoinen, Norm Vargas, Douglas R Gies, Theo ten Brummelaar, Gail H. Schaefer
Quantum Physics
Reverse Physics for Quantum Mechanics
Gabriele Carcassi, Tobias Thrien and Christine A. Aidala
Reverse Physics is a methodology that breaks physical theories into separate mathematical and physical conditions to establish their logical relationships. To showcase the power of the methodology, we present several results for
quantum mechanics and their related insights. The standard
Hilbert-space formulation conflicts with basic physical requirements, while a minimal topological modification can solve these problems. The ensemble space, rather than the pure-state space, distinguishes classical from
quantum systems. The Born rule is an additional assumption linking orthogonality, mutual exclusivity and information
entropy. Under explicit background conditions,
unitary evolution is equivalent to deterministic and reversible
evolution. Nonselective projective measurements can be characterized as Lindblad equilibration processes, while
unitary evolution can be characterized as a limit of infinitesimal projective processes. Classical mechanics is recovered as the high-
entropy limit of
quantum mechanics, and every
quantum state, pure or mixed, is a dynamic, spectral and thermodynamic
equilibrium. These results are self-contained, use the standard vector-space representation and can thus be used as common tools and constraints for teaching, interpretations, reconstructions and future theories.
Read the full abstract ▾