High Energy Physics and Computational Science

Researchers spotted a second distant star orbiting a well-known black hole and its stellar companion in a never-before-seen gravitational triad. The system's unique configuration suggests that the black hole was not created as scientists initially expected. Researchers spotted a new star orbiting far around the black hole V404 Cygni and its nearby stellar companion. This configuration suggests the black hole was not birthed by a supernova. Astronomers have accidentally discovered the first-known " black hole triple " system, containing a dark void orbited by two stars. The unique configuration of this triad hints that the black hole was not born via a supernova, which blows away what we thought we knew about how these cosmic entities form. Until now, most discovered black holes  excluding the supermassive variety at the center of most galaxies exist in binary systems, in which they are orbited by another large object, such as a star, neutron star or a smaller black hole....

Scientists at Paderborn University have for the first time used high-performance computing (on the right in the picture the Paderborn supercomputer Noctua) to analyze a quantum photonics experiment on a large scale. Scientists have revolutionized the field of quantum photonics by employing high-performance computing to analyze quantum detectors at an unprecedented scale. Their innovative approach involves the tomographic reconstruction of experimental data, enabling rapid and efficient characterization of photon detectors. This development promises to enhance quantum research significantly, paving the way for advanced applications in quantum computing and communication. Breakthrough in Quantum Photonics With High-Performance Computing For the first time, scientists at Paderborn University have applied large-scale high-performance computing (HPC) at large scales to analyze a quantum photonics experiment . Specifically, this involved reconstructing experimental data from a quantum detec...

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have achieved a 100-fold increase in the measurement rate of Raman spectroscopy, advancing its application in biomedical diagnostics and materials analytics. This innovation was enabled by combining coherent Raman spectroscopy, a specially designed ultrashort pulse laser, and time-stretch technology , offering new possibilities for high-throughput, label-free chemical imaging. Breakthrough in Raman Spectroscopy Speed Scientists have successfully increased the measurement rate of Raman spectroscopy , a widely used technique for identifying molecules, by 100 times. Researchers Takuma Nakamura, Kazuki Hashimoto, and Takuro Ideguchi from the Institute for Photon Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo achieved this breakthrough. Raman spectroscopy is commonly used to measure the “vibrational fingerprint” of molecules, which helps to identify them. This significant improvement addresses a long-standing limitation in the technique’s speed,...

Researchers have developed a new detector that analyzes antineutrinos emitted by nuclear reactors to monitor their activities from great distances. This technology, which utilizes the phenomena of Cherenkov radiation , could revolutionize how we ensure reactors are not producing material for nuclear weapons, despite challenges from other environmental antineutrinos. Nuclear Fission and Antimatter Monitoring Nuclear fission reactors provide a major energy source worldwide, with global power capacity projected to nearly double by 2050. However, it remains challenging to determine if a reactor is also producing material for nuclear weapons. Capturing and analyzing antimatter particles, specifically antineutrinos, offers a potential solution by allowing scientists to remotely monitor reactor activities from hundreds of miles away. In a study published in AIP Advances, researchers from the University of Sheffield and the University of Hawaii introduced a new detector that can sense and an...

Scientists have developed simulations to investigate the rapid processes of quantum theory , revealing insights into quantum entanglement and its formation. These findings, which detail how entanglement can be quantified and observed within attoseconds, demonstrate significant advances in understanding the temporal dynamics of quantum events. Quantum Theory and Time: Unraveling Instantaneous Effects Quantum theory deals with events that occur on incredibly short time scales. In the past, these events were thought to happen instantaneously, with no time in between: an electron orbits the nucleus of an atom and, in the blink of an eye, it’s suddenly ejected by a flash of light. Similarly, two particles collide and are immediately ‘quantum entangled.’ Today, however, scientists can study the exact timing of these nearly instantaneous effects. Researchers from TU Wien (Vienna), in collaboration with teams from China, have developed computer simulations to explore these ultrafast processes....

Twisting tungsten disulfide crystals allows researchers to control electron movement and enhance optical properties, unlocking new possibilities for quantum materials and photonic applications. In 2018, a discovery in materials science sent shock waves throughout the community. A team showed that stacking two layers of graphene a honeycomb-like layer of carbon extracted from graphite at a precise “magic angle” turned it into a superconductor, says Ritesh Agarwal of the University of Pennsylvania. This sparked the field of “twistronics,” revealing that twisting layered materials could unlock extraordinary material properties. Building on this concept, Agarwal, Penn theoretical physicist Eugene Mele, and collaborators have taken twistronics into new territory. In a study published in Nature, they investigated spirally stacked tungsten disulfide (WS₂) crystals and discovered that, by twisting these layers, light could be used to manipulate electrons. The result is analogous to the Cor...

New research at Harvard has enhanced quantum sensors’ capabilities through spin squeezing, a method that fine-tunes measurement sensitivity. Exploring Quantum Sensing Breakthroughs Measurement is fundamental to every achievement and discovery in science. Today, thanks to advancements in quantum sensing , scientists can now measure phenomena that were once unimaginable such as the vibrations of atoms, the properties of individual photons, and the subtle fluctuations associated with gravitational waves. One promising quantum technique, known as “spin squeezing,” has the potential to greatly enhance the precision of quantum sensors. However, it has been notoriously difficult to achieve. In new research, Harvard physicists have brought spin squeezing closer to practical use. Spin squeezing is a form of quantum entanglement that limits how much a group of particles can fluctuate. This restriction allows for more precise measurements of certain signals, although it comes at the cost of r...