Epelbaum E, Heihoff S, Meißner UG
… +1 more, Tscherwon A
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285080
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In the last decades, femtoscopic measurements from heavy-ion collisions have become a popular tool to investigate the strong interactions between hadrons. The key observables measured in such experiments are the two-hadr...In the last decades, femtoscopic measurements from heavy-ion collisions have become a popular tool to investigate the strong interactions between hadrons. The key observables measured in such experiments are the two-hadron momentum correlations, which depend on the production mechanism of hadron pairs and the final-state interactions. Given the complexity of ultrarelativistic collision experiments, the source term describing the production mechanism can be modeled phenomenologically only based on numerous assumptions. The commonly employed approach for analyzing femtoscopic data relies on the Koonin-Pratt formula, which relates the measured correlation functions with the relative wave function of an outgoing hadron pair and a source term that is assumed to be universal. Here, we critically examine this universality assumption and show that, for strongly interacting particles such as nucleons, the interpretation of femtoscopic measurements suffers from a potentially large intrinsic uncertainty. We also comment on the ongoing efforts to explore three-body interactions using this experimental technique.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285079
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A scaling framework unifying the markedly different and independently studied cylindrical and spherical shock convergence is presented. For ionizing argon, we show that the focal temperature becomes invariant to shock sy...A scaling framework unifying the markedly different and independently studied cylindrical and spherical shock convergence is presented. For ionizing argon, we show that the focal temperature becomes invariant to shock symmetry and initial shock conditions when scaled by the prefocus shock Mach number, after accounting for pressure effects. The resulting collapsed focal temperature-Mach number relation is governed by the thermodynamics of argon, up to an equilibrium temperature of 35 000 K. Such a scaling enables both predictive estimation of focal temperatures over a wide range of initial conditions and, conversely, determination of the parameters required to achieve a target temperature in a given medium.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285078
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We show that systematic particle rotations in a fluid composed of disk-shaped spinners can spontaneously lead to phase separation. The phenomenon arises out of a homogeneous and hydrostatic stationary state, due to a pre...We show that systematic particle rotations in a fluid composed of disk-shaped spinners can spontaneously lead to phase separation. The phenomenon arises out of a homogeneous and hydrostatic stationary state, due to a pressure feedback mechanism that increases local density fluctuations. We show how this mechanism induces phase separation, coined as rotation induced phase separation (RIPS), when the active rotation is not properly counterbalanced by translational friction. A low density phase can coexist with a dense chiral liquid due to the imbalance between pressure and stress transmitted through chiral flows when a significant momentum transfer between rotational and translational motion can be sustained. As a consequence, RIPS is expected to appear as a general nonequilibrium phenomenon in chiral fluids.
Corapi F, Learn RT, Driesen B
… +5 more, Lefebvre A, Leyronas X, Chevy F, Fujiwara CJ, Thywissen JH
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285077
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We investigate the interaction-induced resistivity of ultracold fermions in a three-dimensional optical lattice. In situ observations of transport dynamics enable the determination of real and imaginary resistivity. In t...We investigate the interaction-induced resistivity of ultracold fermions in a three-dimensional optical lattice. In situ observations of transport dynamics enable the determination of real and imaginary resistivity. In the strongly interacting metallic regime, we observe a striking saturation of the current-dissipation rate toward a value that is independent of the interaction strength. This phenomenon is quantitatively captured by a dissipation model that uses a renormalized two-body scattering matrix. We further measure the temperature dependence of resistivity in the strongly interacting limit and discuss the predicted asymptotic high-temperature behavior. Our results provide a clear microscopic understanding of bounded resistivity of low-density metals, thus providing a useful benchmark for studies of strongly correlated atomic and electronic systems.
Bloch IM, Botti AM, Cababie M
… +29 more, Cancelo G, Cervantes-Vergara BA, Daal M, Desai A, Drlica-Wagner A, Essig R, Estrada J, Etzion E, Moroni GF, Holland SE, Kehat J, Lawson I, Luoma S, Orly A, Perez SE, Rodrigues D, Saffold NA, Scorza S, Sofo-Haro M, Stifter K, Tiffenberg J, Uemura S, Villalpando EM, Volansky T, Winkel F, Wu Y, Yu TT, Bertou X, SENSEI Collaboration
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285076
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Dark matter particles with sufficiently large interactions with ordinary matter can scatter in the Earth's atmosphere and crust before reaching an underground detector. This Earth-shielding effect can induce a directiona...Dark matter particles with sufficiently large interactions with ordinary matter can scatter in the Earth's atmosphere and crust before reaching an underground detector. This Earth-shielding effect can induce a directional dependence in the dark matter flux, leading to a sidereal daily modulation in the signal rate. We perform a search for such a modulation using data from the SENSEI experiment, targeting MeV-scale dark matter. We achieve nearly an order-of-magnitude improvement in sensitivity over previous direct-detection bounds for dark-matter masses below ∼1 MeV, assuming the standard halo model with a Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution, and restrict the amplitude of a general daily modulation signal to be below 6.8 e/g/d.
Allocca AA, Verma DK, Ganeshan S
… +1 more, Wilson JH
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285075
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We investigate universal features of measurement-and-feedback control of quantum chaotic dynamics by examining the quantum Arnold cat map, a paradigmatic model of quantum chaos. Inspired by probabilistic control of class...We investigate universal features of measurement-and-feedback control of quantum chaotic dynamics by examining the quantum Arnold cat map, a paradigmatic model of quantum chaos. Inspired by probabilistic control of classical chaos, our protocol stochastically alternates between intrinsic instability and engineered control operations that steer trajectories toward a target point. Simulation of exact quantum dynamics and a semiclassical truncated Wigner approximation reveal universal properties of the cat map's control transition. To further characterize this universality, we introduce the inverted harmonic oscillator as an analytically tractable effective model of instability. By integrating numerical simulations, a semiclassical Fokker-Planck description, and a direct spectral analysis of the stochastic quantum channel, we identify quantum signatures absent in classical limits. The close agreement between quantum simulation, truncated Wigner approximation, and inverted oscillator analysis shows that universal features of the transition are set by uncertainty-limited quantum fluctuations and are insensitive to genuine quantum interference.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285074
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Ionization is one of the basic physical processes, occurring when charged particles penetrate atomic matter. Here, we predict a novel ionization mechanism, arising in collisions with very dense and compact beams of extre...Ionization is one of the basic physical processes, occurring when charged particles penetrate atomic matter. Here, we predict a novel ionization mechanism, arising in collisions with very dense and compact beams of extreme relativistic electrons, in which a significant fraction of the beam electrons acts coherently as a single "superprojectile." We compare this mechanism with the tunnel and overbarrier ionization and ionization by individual electrons, demonstrating that it can strongly dominate the ionization process. We also show that this mechanism and the tunnel ionization are very sensitive to the spatiotemporal structure of the beam that can be used for analyzing the beam properties.
Del Campo A, Grabarits A, Makarov DE
… +1 more, Shinn SH
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285073
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We introduce a framework for computing time-dependent quantum transition rates (QTRs) that describe the pace of evolution of a quantum state from a given subspace to a target subspace. QTRs are expressed in terms of flux...We introduce a framework for computing time-dependent quantum transition rates (QTRs) that describe the pace of evolution of a quantum state from a given subspace to a target subspace. QTRs are expressed in terms of flux-flux correlators and are shown to obey two complementary quantum speed limits. Our framework readily accommodates the generalization of Hamiltonian dynamics to arbitrary open quantum evolution, including quantum measurements. We illustrate how QTRs can be controlled by counterdiabatic driving.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285072
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Randomness is a fundamental resource in quantum information, with crucial applications in cryptography, algorithms, and error correction. A central challenge is to construct unitary k designs that closely approximate Haa...Randomness is a fundamental resource in quantum information, with crucial applications in cryptography, algorithms, and error correction. A central challenge is to construct unitary k designs that closely approximate Haar-random unitaries while minimizing the costly use of non-Clifford operations. In this Letter, we present a protocol able to generate unitary k designs on n qubits, secure against any adversarial quantum measurement, with a system-size-independent number of non-Clifford gates. Our construction applies a k design only to a subsystem of size Θ(k), independent of n. This "seed" design is then "diluted" across the entire n-qubit system by sandwiching it between two random Clifford operators. The resulting ensemble forms an ϵ-approximate unitary k design on n qubits. We prove that this construction achieves full quantum security against adaptive adversaries using only O[over ˜](k^{2}logϵ^{-1}) non-Clifford gates. If one requires security only against polynomial-time adaptive adversaries, the non-Clifford cost decreases to O[over ˜](k+log^{1+c}ϵ^{-1}). This is optimal, since we show that at least Ω(k) non-Clifford gates are required in this setting. Compared to existing approaches, our method significantly reduces non-Clifford overhead while strengthening security guarantees to adaptive security as well as removing artificial assumptions between n and k. These results make high-order unitary designs practically attainable in near-term fault-tolerant quantum architectures.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285071
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Geometric responses give rise to novel phenomena in charge and spin transport, which have been extensively studied in the context of the quantum geometry of Bloch states in periodic solids. In contrast, the geometry of H...Geometric responses give rise to novel phenomena in charge and spin transport, which have been extensively studied in the context of the quantum geometry of Bloch states in periodic solids. In contrast, the geometry of Hamiltonian eigenvalues is often considered trivial. Here, we demonstrate that this seemingly trivial contribution can in fact generate a transverse spin current-reminiscent of the spin Hall effect-in the recently discovered class of centrosymmetric altermagnets. Using quantum perturbation theory, we identify two leading mechanisms under optical excitation combined with a static electric field: an effective-mass term and a group-velocity term, both rooted in the underlying band geometry and thus tied to spin splitting and band anisotropy that do not require inversion-symmetry breaking. Through a symmetry-based analysis of all centrosymmetric spin point groups, we establish how these mechanisms give rise to highly selective and switchable spin transport without accompanying charge flow. First-principles calculations on prototypical altermagnets α-MnTe and MnF_{2} confirm our predictions, revealing experimentally accessible spin conductivities under moderate external fields.
Yuan WF, Liu BB, Li N
… +9 more, Ding GY, Ding WQ, Du HJ, Li JC, Chen G, Jing H, Zhou F, Su SL, Feng M
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285070
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Entanglement generation is a cornerstone of quantum information science, yet its speed in Hermitian systems is fundamentally constrained by the coupling strength, a restriction known as the quantum speed limit. Here we d...Entanglement generation is a cornerstone of quantum information science, yet its speed in Hermitian systems is fundamentally constrained by the coupling strength, a restriction known as the quantum speed limit. Here we demonstrate that this bound can be beaten by exploiting the unique topology of non-Hermitian systems near exceptional points (EPs). Using a pair of trapped ions, we engineer a parity-time symmetric Hamiltonian where the coalescence of eigenstates near the EP distorts the Hilbert space geometry, providing a shortcut for quantum state evolution. We observe that, as the system approaches the EP, the time required to generate a maximally entangled state is markedly reduced with respect to the limits imposed by the equivalent Hermitian interaction. We further uncover a fundamental physical trade-off whereby the acceleration of entanglement is intrinsically coupled to a reduction in the success probability, revealing the information cost of non-Hermitian speedup. Our results suggest that tailored dissipation, rather than being a source of decoherence, can serve as a powerful resource for accelerating quantum dynamics, offering a new paradigm for designing high-speed quantum gates and sensors in hardware-constrained platforms.
Gallone M, Grande R, Ponno A
… +2 more, Ruffo S, Druais E
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285069
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We investigate the dynamics of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou chain with long-wavelength random initial data. When the energy per particle is small, thermal equilibrium is not reached on a fast timescale, and the system en...We investigate the dynamics of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou chain with long-wavelength random initial data. When the energy per particle is small, thermal equilibrium is not reached on a fast timescale, and the system enters prethermalization. The formation of the prethermal state is characterized by the development of a Burgers-type shock and the onset of a turbulentlike spectrum with a time dependent exponent ζ(t) in the inertial range. We perform a significant step forward by demonstrating that these features are robust under generic long-wavelength random initial conditions. By employing advanced probabilistic techniques inspired by the works of Dudley and Talagrand, we derive a sharp asymptotic expression for the average shock time in the thermodynamic limit. For large p, this time scales as (psqrt[logp])^{-1}, where p is the number of excited modes, proving that it is an intensive quantity up to a logarithmic correction in the size of the system.
Zhao J, Wang X, Liu W
… +7 more, Jing Q, Xu Y, Wang J, Yin H, Shi L, Chan CT, Zi J
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285068
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Topological singular lines in three-dimensional parameter space-nodal lines and exceptional lines-are fundamental to wave physics and hold promise for advanced photonic control. However, their observation, especially in...Topological singular lines in three-dimensional parameter space-nodal lines and exceptional lines-are fundamental to wave physics and hold promise for advanced photonic control. However, their observation, especially in the optical regime, has been hindered by the challenge of constructing the required parameter space without complex structural engineering. Here, we demonstrate that the scattering matrix of a simple two-dimensional photonic crystal provides such a parameter space through frequency and in-plane momenta, enabling the first observation of chiral exceptional lines in the visible regime. Using high-precision momentum-space Mueller matrix spectroscopy, we map these lines and reveal their key topological features, including self-intersecting Riemann surfaces, phase vortices, and polarization half-vortices, with distinct responses to left- and right-handed circular polarizations. The exceptional lines exhibit characteristic square-root eigenvalue splitting and extend continuously across the frequency-momentum space, demonstrating their topological robustness. This achievement establishes a robust platform for investigating non-Hermitian topological physics at visible frequencies, opening pathways for chiral light-matter interactions, polarization-selective devices, and advanced sensing applications.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285067
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We explicitly construct the density matrix associated to the vacuum state of a large spherically symmetric causal diamond of area A in four-dimensional asymptotically flat gravity. We achieve this using the soft effectiv...We explicitly construct the density matrix associated to the vacuum state of a large spherically symmetric causal diamond of area A in four-dimensional asymptotically flat gravity. We achieve this using the soft effective action, which characterizes the low-energy gravitational degrees of freedom that arise in the long-distance limit of the Einstein-Hilbert action and consists of both the soft graviton mode and the Goldstone mode arising from the spontaneous breaking of supertranslation symmetry. Integrating out the soft graviton mode, we obtain an effective action for purely the Goldstone mode, from which we extract the density matrix and therefore the modular Hamiltonian K[over ^]_{s} associated to the vacuum state. As a corollary, we explicitly compute the mean and variance of K[over ^]_{s}, finding ⟨ΔK[over ^]_{s}^{2}⟩=A/ε_{UV}^{2}, with ε_{UV} being a length-scale UV cutoff on the celestial sphere.
Tao W, Zhang R, Guo Q
… +5 more, He L, Du TY, Guan X, Lan P, Lu P
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285066
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High-harmonic generation (HHG) from liquids offers a potential pathway to attosecond spectroscopy in chemically complex and disordered environments, yet fundamental questions remain open: whether liquid harmonic emission...High-harmonic generation (HHG) from liquids offers a potential pathway to attosecond spectroscopy in chemically complex and disordered environments, yet fundamental questions remain open: whether liquid harmonic emission preserves well-defined attosecond synchronization, and whether harmonic emission can involve simultaneous contributions from multiple quantum trajectories with distinct excursion times despite strong disorder and scattering. Here, we address these issues experimentally by establishing the first trajectory-dependent energy-time mapping in liquid HHG. By optimizing the laser focusing geometry, we achieve clear spatial discrimination of short- and long-trajectory contributions, providing direct evidence for the existence of multiple quantum trajectories in liquids. Using a phase-controlled two-color driving field, we independently retrieve the attochirp associated with each trajectory and demonstrate opposite energy-time correlations for short and long trajectories, establishing a trajectory-resolved energy-time mapping in liquid HHG. All observations are well reproduced by semiclassical recollision simulations. These results place liquid HHG on the same conceptual footing as gas- and solid-phase HHG and establish a robust foundation for attosecond-resolved spectroscopy of ultrafast electronic and chemical dynamics in liquid environments.
Meirinhos F, Turaev M, Kajan M
… +2 more, Bode T, Kroha J
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285065
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We provide a theoretical framework to describe the nonequilibrium temporal dynamics of correlated electron systems for realistic system parameters and the consequent, often exponentially long timescales. It is based on a...We provide a theoretical framework to describe the nonequilibrium temporal dynamics of correlated electron systems for realistic system parameters and the consequent, often exponentially long timescales. It is based on an entirely integrodifferential formulation of time-dependent dynamical mean-field theory, the noncrossing approximation, and the quantum representation of a driving electromagnetic field. For heavy-fermion systems, we identify two key nonequilibrium mechanisms governing their time evolution after a single-cycle terahertz excitation: transient, instantaneous shift from the Kondo toward the mixed-valence regime by an enhanced, photo-assisted hybridization, and slow recovery of the heavy-fermion state due to the long Kondo coherence time. This explains recent time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy experiments microscopically and establishes the latter as a technique for direct experimental access to the Kondo coherence time and to the heavy-fermion quasiparticle weight, central for the classification of heavy-fermion quantum phase transitions.
Coulter J, Kugler FB, LaBollita H
… +2 more, Georges A, Dreyer CE
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285064
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Transition-metal perovskite oxides exhibit moderately correlated metallic phases, several of which exhibit a T^{2} resistivity scaling up to temperatures far exceeding the regime where Fermi-liquid electron-electron scat...Transition-metal perovskite oxides exhibit moderately correlated metallic phases, several of which exhibit a T^{2} resistivity scaling up to temperatures far exceeding the regime where Fermi-liquid electron-electron scattering is expected to dominate. Some of these materials, such as SrMoO_{3}, also exhibit unexplained ultralow room-temperature resistivity. We demonstrate that in SrMoO_{3}, SrWO_{3}, SrTaO_{3}, SrNbO_{3}, and SrVO_{3} electron-phonon scattering results in quadratic-scaling resistivity due to the shape of the Fermi surface and the thermal activation of optical phonons. We also reveal that the origin of the low resistivity of SrMoO_{3} is an overall low electron-phonon coupling strength, and identify SrWO_{3} and SrTaO_{3} as other possible low-resistivity oxides. Additionally, we find that the strength of electron-phonon coupling is sensitive to structural distortions, energies of optical phonons, and the treatment of electronic correlations. This suggests design principles for finding other ultrahigh conductivity transition-metal oxides, and has significant implications for theoretical interpretation of direct-current resistivity in transition-metal oxides and beyond.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285063
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Quantum Mpemba effect describes an anomalous phenomenon of accelerated relaxation, which is of fundamental interest in the field of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Conventional theories on this phenomenon strongly rely on...Quantum Mpemba effect describes an anomalous phenomenon of accelerated relaxation, which is of fundamental interest in the field of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Conventional theories on this phenomenon strongly rely on the Born-Markovian approximation resulting in a Lindblad-type master equation whose evolution is governed by a Liouvillian superoperator. It has been demonstrated that exceptional points of the Liouvillian superoperator can induce the Mpemba effect in Markovian regimes. Moving beyond this Markovian limit, we here propose a mechanism for observing the quantum Mpemba effect in a general non-Markovian relaxation process by means of non-Markovian exceptional points. We verify the feasibility of this mechanism within a dissipative quantum harmonic oscillator model, which is exactly solvable and experimentally practical. Providing new insight into the interesting nonequilibrium dynamics, our Letter paves a way to accelerate the transfer of energy and information in quantum systems.
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285062
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We investigated the optical absorption spectra of the time-reversal-odd antiferromagnet ErCrO_{3} under an applied electric field (E). This material, with its two distinct magnetic sites (Er^{3+} and Cr^{3+}), exhibits s...We investigated the optical absorption spectra of the time-reversal-odd antiferromagnet ErCrO_{3} under an applied electric field (E). This material, with its two distinct magnetic sites (Er^{3+} and Cr^{3+}), exhibits successive antiferromagnetic (AFM) transitions at T_{N}≈133 K and T_{SR}≈10 K. We observed nonreciprocal directional dichroism induced by E (ENDD) in the AFM phases, spanning the near-infrared to visible light regions. The phenomenon is explained by the electrotoroidic effect, where a magnetic toroidal moment is induced by the applied electric field. We also found that the spatial distributions of ENDD-reflecting magnetic domain structures-obtained at photon energies corresponding to Er^{3+} f-f and Cr^{3+} d-d transitions, were in good agreement. The result indicates a strong interplay between Er^{3+} 4f and Cr^{3+} 3d moments in the AFM phases of this rare-earth orthochromite. The combination of ENDD spectroscopy and microscopy is a powerful tool for elucidating site-specific magnetic information in time-reversal-odd antiferromagnets such as altermagnets.
Li S, Yue L, Tang Y
… +5 more, Leshchenko V, Agostini P, Landsman AS, Gaarde MB, DiMauro LF
Phys Rev Lett
· 2026 May · PMID 42285061
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High-harmonic generation (HHG) is an extreme form of frequency upconversion that facilitates light-source engineering and ultrafast materials spectroscopy. Here, we broaden the spectroscopic scope of HHG, by demonstratin...High-harmonic generation (HHG) is an extreme form of frequency upconversion that facilitates light-source engineering and ultrafast materials spectroscopy. Here, we broaden the spectroscopic scope of HHG, by demonstrating polarization manipulation of harmonic light in a dielectric, using a two-color field configuration that combines a midinfrared (MIR) driver with a terahertz (THz) perturbation. By varying the relative polarization axes of these fields, the emitted harmonics can be tuned to exhibit either linear or elliptical polarization. Supported by first-principles theory and semiclassical analysis, we show that our approach enables crystal-momentum-resolved dipole-vector spectroscopy across different bands. Crucially, we show that for certain field configurations, harmonic light emission will originate from electron-hole pairs created away from the minimum band gap. Furthermore, crossing MIR and THz polarization at oblique angles generates elliptically polarized harmonics whose microscopic origin is traced to the phase and amplitude imbalances of electron-hole trajectories released during adjacent half-cycles of the MIR field. Our Letter demonstrates new spectroscopy capabilities of HHG, deepens the contemporary microscopic understanding of the process, and paves the way for full polarization control of the harmonic light.