FieldsStatistical physics and thermodynamics

Net-Pattern of Muskmelon Rind Favors a Common Mathematical Law

The surface of muskmelon is covered with a fine mesh-like net-pattern. The geometric features of the fine mesh appear unique for each individual, but hide an unexpected mathematical rule.

Cross-disciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Tensor Networks Across Physics

Researchers from Japan provide the first comprehensive review of the historical development of tensor networks from a statistical mechanics viewpoint, with a focus on its theoretical background.

Mathematical methods, classical and quantum physics, relativity, gravitation, numerical simulation, computational modeling

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Violation of Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem Results in Robustness of Fluctuation Against Localization

We study equilibrium current fluctuations in systems without time-reversal symmetry, violating the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Notably, the off-diagonal fluctuation is insensitive to system imperfections in contrast to other fluctuations and conductivity.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Electronic transport in condensed matter

Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces and nanostructures

Economic Irreversibility: The Universal Guiding Principle of Infection Control

It is preferable to avoid lockdowns, as lockdowns at seriously spread phases are very expensive. It would be economically better to utilize less intense countermeasures as early as possible to avoid lockdowns in later phases.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Cross-disciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology

How Good is the Transition-State Theory?

For the first time, the main assumption of the transition-state theory for the decay of complex quantum systems across a potential barrier was realized using a microscopic many-body Hamiltonian.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Nuclear physics

Electric Quadrupole Orders in f-Electron Systems on the fcc Lattice

We theoretically showed that electric quadrupoles in some heavy fermion materials exhibit a very rich phase diagram including unique partially-ordered phases stabilized by an interaction specific to these systems.

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Dielectric, optical, and other properties in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Electronic Nematic Ordering Driven by Atomic-scale Multipoles

Theoretical investigations have unearthed a plethora of electronic nematic orderings driven by the spatial distribution of atomic-scale electric quadrupoles.

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Dielectric, optical, and other properties in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Phase Transition and Its Universality Class for a Quantum Spin Chain

We numerically diagonalize the Dimer-Trimer (DT) model Hamiltonian around the SU(3) symmetric point. As a result, we discover the phase transition at this point which belongs to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT)-like universality class.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Splitting Walls: Interplay of Different Orders in Multiferroic Materials

We theoretically showed an intrinsic splitting instability of composite domain walls in multiferroic materials under field drive. This instability is a direct result of the coexistence of multiple orders in the system.

Magnetic properties in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Reducing the Number of Tests Using Bayesian Inference to Identify Infected Patients in Group Testing

Group testing is a method of identifying infected patients by performing tests on a pool of specimens. Bayesian inference and a corresponding belief propagation (BP) algorithm are introduced to identify the infected patients in group testing.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Cross-disciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology

How is Brownian Motion Affected by a Fluctuating Random Surface?

A researcher has developed a new theory to describe the Brownian motion of a small object that is confined in a fluctuating random surface.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

Structure and mechanical and thermal properties in condensed matter

Using Analogy to Understand Localization in Quantum Annealing

Localization may cause the inefficiency of quantum annealing. The constrained quantum annealing of graph coloring provides a new viewpoint to analyze localization phenomena in quantum annealing.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics

What Dictates Nonlinear Behavior in Strongly Correlated Insulators?

The nonlinear conduction (the deviation from Ohm's law) has been discovered universally in various correlated materials. This may be explained by the percolation conduction in disordered materials.

Electronic transport in condensed matter

Statistical physics and thermodynamics