Nature Physics
Nature Physics offers news and reviews alongside top-quality research papers in a monthly publication, covering the entire spectrum of physics. Physics addresses the properties and interactions of matter and energy, and plays a key role in the development of a broad range of technologies. To reflect this, Nature Physics covers all areas of pure and applied physics research. The journal focuses on core physics disciplines, but is also open to a broad range of topics whose central theme falls within the bounds of physics.
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A simulation of false vacuum decay using a quantum annealer
Nature Physics, Published online: 04 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02767-8
False vacuum decay is a process of fundamental importance in quantum field theory. Here, a 5,564-qubit quantum annealer is used to simulate the dynamics of false vacuum decay and observe the formation of bubbles of true vacuum. This approach could provide insight into the role of phase transitions in the early Universe. -
A bound on thermalization from diffusive fluctuations
Nature Physics, Published online: 04 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02774-9
It has been proposed that the equilibration time of many-body systems is limited by a timescale determined by Planck’s constant and temperature. A bound of this kind has now been identified for a universal definition of equilibration time. -
Stirring the false vacuum via interacting quantized bubbles on a 5,564-qubit quantum annealer
Nature Physics, Published online: 04 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02765-w
Bubble formation is a signal of false vacuum decay, in which a system transitions from a local energy minimum to a true vacuum. Now, simulations on a quantum annealer show how interactions between bubbles drive the long-time dynamics of this process. -
Constraints on the location of the liquid–liquid critical point in water
Nature Physics, Published online: 03 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02761-0
A liquid–liquid transition in supercooled water has long been predicted. State-of-the-art simulations now precisely confine the temperature and pressure ranges for this transition, which are found to be within experimental reach. -
Better qubits through phononic engineering
Nature Physics, Published online: 31 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02775-8
Controlling qubit–phonon interactions is crucial for solid-state quantum devices. Two recent studies demonstrate that phononic bandgap engineering can alter these interactions, leading to enhanced qubit coherence and scalability. -
Electronic melt
Nature Physics, Published online: 31 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02779-4
Electrons at extremely low density and temperature can crystallize into a solid known as a Wigner crystal. Optical spectroscopy now reveals how these crystals melt at higher densities via an intermediate phase, where crystalline and liquid regions coexist. -
Different facets of unconventional magnetism
Nature Physics, Published online: 30 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-024-02750-3
Recent advances in classifying magnets according to spin-group symmetry have expanded the possibilities of unconventional magnetism. Unconventional magnets — such as collinear spin-split antiferromagnets, also known as altermagnets, noncollinear spin-split antiferromagnets and anomalous-Hall antiferromagnets — combine the advantages of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. -
Publisher Correction: Selective and collective actuation in active solids
Nature Physics, Published online: 29 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-02798-9
Publisher Correction: Selective and collective actuation in active solids