Magnetic vortices defy melting moment
The behaviour of magnetic vortices controls many physical properties of high-temperature superconductors, including their ability to carry current without resistance – a classic hallmark of supe...
Quantum electrodynamics in the dark
Perhaps they’re just shy, but heavy atoms seem very embarrassed when most of their electrons are stripped off. In order to cover their nakedness as quickly as possible, they aggressively try to ...
Light strings draw together
Self-focusing occurs at high intensities in transparent media when the refractive index is proportional to the intensity. The change in refractive index causes the medium to act as a lens that focuses...
Read article: Injection of spin for electronics
Injection of spin for electronics
Nearly all electronic and optoelectronic devices are made of semiconductors and rely on the exact control of electric charges. Electrons, however, possess a well defined “spin” angular mom...
Nuclear symmetry enters a new phase
The point at which a phase transition occurs is called the critical point and is dear to every physicist’s heart. The fascination with systems at the critical point stems from the fact that a sm...
Read article: Positive ions pull together
Positive ions pull together
Under certain conditions, the Coulomb force can pull charges together
Quantum pulses pinpoint position
Quantum effects could improve the accuracy of positioning systems
DIAMOND boss appointed
Director of the German synchrotron lab takes the helm at the new UK facility
Astronomy meets angels in a divine comedy
An astronomer who studies solar neutrinos shares a flat with two angels in this radio play
Crystals could make super semiconductors
A novel material could allow physicists to modify semiconductors on the atomic scale
