The quest to understand dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up a majority of the universe’s mass, has captivated the scientific community for decades. From observing the motion of stars and galaxies to conducting high-tech experiments, scientists have been tirelessly working to unlock the secrets of this elusive entity. One of the most advanced
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X-ray bursts (XRBs) are powerful explosions that occur on the surface of a neutron star when it absorbs material from a companion star. These bursts are the result of increasing temperatures and densities on the surface of the neutron star, which trigger a series of thermonuclear reactions. These reactions lead to the creation of heavy
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of Pittsburgh, the movement of spin information in electron particles, known as pure spin current, within chiral materials was closely examined. The researchers discovered that the direction in which spins are introduced into these chiral materials plays a crucial role
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Portsmouth have introduced a quantum sensing scheme that has achieved the highest level of quantum sensitivity in measuring the transverse displacement between two interfering photons. This innovative technique holds the potential to revolutionize superresolution imaging methods that utilize single-photon sources for the precise localization and tracking
A revolutionary breakthrough in the field of physics has been achieved by a team of physicists at Harvard University. They have successfully trapped individual polyatomic molecules in optical tweezer arrays for the first time. This remarkable accomplishment marks a significant advancement in molecular research and opens up a world of possibilities for future scientific endeavors.
The ability to gain valuable information by analyzing how objects interact with different wavelengths of light is invaluable in various fields. While color is a key player in providing such information, polarization, which refers to how the electric field oscillates as light travels, holds a wealth of untapped data. Despite its potential, polarization imaging has
Gravity, a force we encounter in our daily lives, remains shrouded in mystery. The age-old question of whether gravity’s ultimate nature is geometrical, as theorized by Einstein, or governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, still perplexes scientists. Various experimental proposals have aimed to shed light on this conundrum, but the challenge lies in creating
Creating heat from fusion reactions is a complex process that requires precise manipulation of plasma, the fourth state of matter. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have recently developed a new plasma measurement instrument called ALPACA. This diagnostic tool has the potential to significantly enhance fusion reactions in tokamaks,
Examining Impressionist paintings in museums compared to photos taken 50 years ago reveals an unsettling trend: some paintings are losing their vibrant yellow hues. Artists such as Edward Munch, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso, all used cadmium sulfide to create the bright yellow pigments in their works. However, over time,
In a groundbreaking discovery, physicists have finally achieved the long-awaited goal of manipulating atomic nuclei with lasers. This development opens up a world of possibilities for revolutionary technological applications and a deeper understanding of fundamental physics. For many years, scientists have been searching specifically for the thorium transition, a state of thorium atomic nuclei that