Hunting Hidden Particles with Light
![An experiment seeks to produce dark photons through the collision of a 3 GeV electron beam with a laser operating at the [latex]\mathcal{O}(\mathrm{eV})[/latex] scale, while X-ray detectors primarily register background photons-a signature indicative of the challenge in isolating these elusive particles.](https://arxiv.org/html/2603.00247v1/2603.00247v1/x6.png)
A new experiment leveraging electron-photon collisions aims to reveal the elusive nature of dark photons and other particles from the hidden sector.
Science
Beyond Locality: Algebra and the Limits of Quantum Correlation
New research explores how the mathematical structure of quantum systems determines the strength of their non-local connections, revealing conditions for maximal Bell inequality violation.
Rewiring Superconductivity: Patterning Reveals Hidden States in Nickelate Films
Researchers have demonstrated that precisely controlling the phase of superconductivity in nickelate materials through nano-patterning can induce unusual metallic behavior and reverse the material’s directional superconducting properties.
Silicon’s Hidden Form: Unlocking the Mystery of Si-XIII
![Silicon’s transition between the Si-XIII phase and its more stable, metastable counterparts-including BC8, R8, and the [latex]d_c[/latex] and [latex]h_d[/latex] phases-is not singular, but rather unfolds along multiple minimum energy pathways, as determined by Solid State Nudged Elastic Band calculations, suggesting a complex energy landscape governing phase transformations in this foundational material.](https://arxiv.org/html/2602.24248v1/2602.24248v1/x4.png)
After decades of pursuit, researchers have finally determined the precise atomic structure of the elusive Si-XIII phase of silicon, resolving a long-standing challenge in materials science.
Unveiling the Electronic Landscape of an Altermagnet
![CrSb exhibits altermagnetic behavior, evidenced by band structure calculations - incorporating spin-orbit coupling via VASP - that reveal shifts in Fermi surfaces ([latex]FSs[/latex]) related to internal field effects and localized spin polarization ([latex]S\_z[/latex]) along the [latex]c[/latex]-axis, as visualized within the first Brillouin zone.](https://arxiv.org/html/2602.24033v1/2602.24033v1/x5.png)
New measurements of the material CrSb reveal a complex Fermi surface and confirm its unique altermagnetic properties, offering insights into this emerging class of magnetic materials.
Machine Learning Accelerates the Search for New Materials
A new study benchmarks the accuracy and efficiency of machine learning potentials for predicting stable crystal structures, paving the way for faster materials discovery.
Warped Realities: How Cosmic Defects Shape Quantum Fields
New research explores how the interplay of cosmic strings, global monopoles, and the principles of Rainbow Gravity alter the behavior of scalar bosons at the quantum level.
Beyond Einstein: A Geometric Route to Dark Matter?
New research demonstrates a connection between extended gravity theories and mimetic gravity, suggesting dark matter may arise from fundamental geometric properties of spacetime.
Vanishing Reflections: New Limits on Mirror Matter
![Unit cell number (UCN) counts fluctuate predictably throughout a single storage measurement cycle, as detailed in reference [46].](https://arxiv.org/html/2602.23487v1/2602.23487v1/Timing-update2.png)
A precise search for neutron oscillations has tightened the screws on a leading dark matter candidate, pushing the boundaries of known physics.
Pinpointing Baryon Masses with Twisted Boundaries
![The construction utilizes a four-dimensional lattice and its two-dimensional section to implement C-periodic boundary conditions, a technique foundational to the orbifold construction detailed in reference [2].](https://arxiv.org/html/2602.23910v1/2602.23910v1/orbifold.png)
New Lattice QCD calculations leverage C-periodic boundary conditions to refine our understanding of baryon masses and improve the accuracy of isospin breaking corrections.