Pub Date : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00890-w
Alessandra Lo Fiego, Felix Donaldson, Umesh Vivekananda, Mete Atatüre, John J. L. Morton, Molly M. Stevens
Although sensing is one of the more established quantum technologies, translating quantum science into real-world biomedical impact requires further effort to overcome technical hurdles as well as structural and societal challenges.
{"title":"How quantum biosensing is transforming healthcare","authors":"Alessandra Lo Fiego, Felix Donaldson, Umesh Vivekananda, Mete Atatüre, John J. L. Morton, Molly M. Stevens","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00890-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00890-w","url":null,"abstract":"Although sensing is one of the more established quantum technologies, translating quantum science into real-world biomedical impact requires further effort to overcome technical hurdles as well as structural and societal challenges.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 12","pages":"672-674"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00887-5
Yiqi Fang, Zijian Lyu, Yunquan Liu
Laser-excited electron motions allow the investigation of fundamental physical phenomena with unprecedented resolution in time, space and energy. The first step in most interactions between light and matter is the ultrafast response of electrons to impinging light, in which the electron dynamics is sensitive to the signatures of the driving light. As light can be tailored to carry custom angular momentum by imprinting it with characteristic structures of intensity, polarization or phase, the resulting structured light offers new opportunities to tailor and control the optical response of materials, far beyond the ability of conventional linearly or circularly polarized light. In this Review, we discuss recent progress at the intersection of the structured light and ultrafast physics communities alongside the underlying physics. Beyond these interesting fundamental considerations, we highlight the broad applications of structured light for investigating and controlling the dynamics of bound and free electrons, as well as extreme ultraviolet radiation, including in strong-field ionization, high harmonic generation and free-electron optical modulation. Spatiotemporal structuring of optical fields offers opportunities to probe and control electron motions in light–matter interactions. This Review discusses the recent advances in both fundamental physics and practical applications in ultrafast physics that involve structured light.
{"title":"Ultrafast physics with structured light","authors":"Yiqi Fang, Zijian Lyu, Yunquan Liu","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00887-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00887-5","url":null,"abstract":"Laser-excited electron motions allow the investigation of fundamental physical phenomena with unprecedented resolution in time, space and energy. The first step in most interactions between light and matter is the ultrafast response of electrons to impinging light, in which the electron dynamics is sensitive to the signatures of the driving light. As light can be tailored to carry custom angular momentum by imprinting it with characteristic structures of intensity, polarization or phase, the resulting structured light offers new opportunities to tailor and control the optical response of materials, far beyond the ability of conventional linearly or circularly polarized light. In this Review, we discuss recent progress at the intersection of the structured light and ultrafast physics communities alongside the underlying physics. Beyond these interesting fundamental considerations, we highlight the broad applications of structured light for investigating and controlling the dynamics of bound and free electrons, as well as extreme ultraviolet radiation, including in strong-field ionization, high harmonic generation and free-electron optical modulation. Spatiotemporal structuring of optical fields offers opportunities to probe and control electron motions in light–matter interactions. This Review discusses the recent advances in both fundamental physics and practical applications in ultrafast physics that involve structured light.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 12","pages":"713-727"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00895-5
Jingtao Ding, Yu Zheng, Fengli Xu, Carlo Vittorio Cannistraci, Xiaowen Dong, Paolo Santi, Guido Caldarelli, Yizhou Sun, Qi R. Wang, Boleslaw K. Szymanski, Carlo Ratti, Trey Ideker, Jianxi Gao, Yong Li, Deliang Chen
Traditional approaches in complexity science struggle to capture emergent phenomena, but abductive reasoning — now computationally feasible through artificial intelligence — offers a new pathway for discovery.
{"title":"Understanding emergence in complex systems using abductive AI","authors":"Jingtao Ding, Yu Zheng, Fengli Xu, Carlo Vittorio Cannistraci, Xiaowen Dong, Paolo Santi, Guido Caldarelli, Yizhou Sun, Qi R. Wang, Boleslaw K. Szymanski, Carlo Ratti, Trey Ideker, Jianxi Gao, Yong Li, Deliang Chen","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00895-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00895-5","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional approaches in complexity science struggle to capture emergent phenomena, but abductive reasoning — now computationally feasible through artificial intelligence — offers a new pathway for discovery.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 12","pages":"675-677"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00885-7
Mathis Wiedeking, Stephane Goriely, Magne Guttormsen, Falk Herwig, Ann-Cecilie Larsen, Sean N. Liddick, Dennis Mücher, Andrea L. Richard, Sunniva Siem, Artemis Spyrou
The origin of chemical elements and their abundances across the cosmos remain one of the central questions in physics. The formation of elements heavier than iron is traditionally attributed to three main mechanisms: the slow and rapid neutron-capture processes (s and r processes) and the p process (mostly driven by photodisintegration reactions). However, certain astronomical observations reveal elemental abundance patterns inconsistent with these processes. These discrepancies prompted the introduction of the intermediate neutron-capture process (i process), which operates at neutron densities between the s and r processes, and which has emerged as a key area of research. Observations of elemental abundances of stars confirm that the i process does indeed take place. Identifying the required astrophysical conditions and contributions of the i process sensitively depend on neutron-capture reaction rates involving unstable atomic nuclei. Important advancements have been achieved through these new astronomical observations and cutting-edge experimental and analytical techniques in nuclear physics, in addition to models of nuclear physics and nucleosynthesis. State-of-the-art facilities and theoretical models are revolutionizing our ability to explore the i process and offer fresh perspectives on the nuclear behaviour under extreme stellar conditions. This Review underscores the synergy between groundbreaking astronomical and nuclear physics research, bridging nuclear physics and observational astrophysics, and advancing our understanding of i-process nucleosynthesis. Our understanding of how heavy elements form within stars is incomplete. This Review highlights the emerging role of the intermediate neutron-capture process (i process) — between the slow and rapid processes — backed by stellar observations in tandem with advances in nuclear physics experiments and modelling.
{"title":"Unlocking i-process nucleosynthesis by bridging stellar and nuclear physics","authors":"Mathis Wiedeking, Stephane Goriely, Magne Guttormsen, Falk Herwig, Ann-Cecilie Larsen, Sean N. Liddick, Dennis Mücher, Andrea L. Richard, Sunniva Siem, Artemis Spyrou","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00885-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00885-7","url":null,"abstract":"The origin of chemical elements and their abundances across the cosmos remain one of the central questions in physics. The formation of elements heavier than iron is traditionally attributed to three main mechanisms: the slow and rapid neutron-capture processes (s and r processes) and the p process (mostly driven by photodisintegration reactions). However, certain astronomical observations reveal elemental abundance patterns inconsistent with these processes. These discrepancies prompted the introduction of the intermediate neutron-capture process (i process), which operates at neutron densities between the s and r processes, and which has emerged as a key area of research. Observations of elemental abundances of stars confirm that the i process does indeed take place. Identifying the required astrophysical conditions and contributions of the i process sensitively depend on neutron-capture reaction rates involving unstable atomic nuclei. Important advancements have been achieved through these new astronomical observations and cutting-edge experimental and analytical techniques in nuclear physics, in addition to models of nuclear physics and nucleosynthesis. State-of-the-art facilities and theoretical models are revolutionizing our ability to explore the i process and offer fresh perspectives on the nuclear behaviour under extreme stellar conditions. This Review underscores the synergy between groundbreaking astronomical and nuclear physics research, bridging nuclear physics and observational astrophysics, and advancing our understanding of i-process nucleosynthesis. Our understanding of how heavy elements form within stars is incomplete. This Review highlights the emerging role of the intermediate neutron-capture process (i process) — between the slow and rapid processes — backed by stellar observations in tandem with advances in nuclear physics experiments and modelling.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 12","pages":"696-712"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00894-6
Youngro Lee
Youngro Lee explains how a 2001 paper reframed his perspective on resistivity and inspired a new way of approaching his research.
young - gro Lee解释了2001年的一篇论文是如何重塑了他对电阻率的看法，并激发了他研究的新方法。
{"title":"Resistivity peaks at the ferromagnetic transition","authors":"Youngro Lee","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00894-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00894-6","url":null,"abstract":"Youngro Lee explains how a 2001 paper reframed his perspective on resistivity and inspired a new way of approaching his research.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"8 1","pages":"7-7"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145916065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00888-4
Yuxin Zhao, Wenjie Liang, Yanli Zhao
Single-molecule junctions (SMJs), representing the ultimate limit of electronic device miniaturization, show fascinating quantum phenomena due to the dominance of quantum effects at this scale. Although theoretical frameworks have provided valuable insights into SMJ behaviour, the complexity of real-world molecular junctions necessitates a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between various factors, including molecule–electrode interfaces, electron–phonon interactions, spin–orbit coupling and electron–electron correlations. This Review explores the interplay between quantum correlation effects, such as quantum interference, vibrational effects, molecular exciton behaviour on electronic transport and quantum spin phenomena through discussion of experimental breakthroughs alongside a critical analysis of the relevant theoretical models. A unified perspective on the diverse range of quantum phenomena observable in SMJs is provided, with the aim of stimulating further research and the development of novel device functionalities exploiting these effects. Single-molecule junctions, which exist at the intersection of quantum physics and molecular electronics, are a rapidly advancing topic of research. This Review examines quantum correlation phenomena in these systems.
{"title":"Quantum correlation behaviour in single-molecule junctions","authors":"Yuxin Zhao, Wenjie Liang, Yanli Zhao","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00888-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00888-4","url":null,"abstract":"Single-molecule junctions (SMJs), representing the ultimate limit of electronic device miniaturization, show fascinating quantum phenomena due to the dominance of quantum effects at this scale. Although theoretical frameworks have provided valuable insights into SMJ behaviour, the complexity of real-world molecular junctions necessitates a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between various factors, including molecule–electrode interfaces, electron–phonon interactions, spin–orbit coupling and electron–electron correlations. This Review explores the interplay between quantum correlation effects, such as quantum interference, vibrational effects, molecular exciton behaviour on electronic transport and quantum spin phenomena through discussion of experimental breakthroughs alongside a critical analysis of the relevant theoretical models. A unified perspective on the diverse range of quantum phenomena observable in SMJs is provided, with the aim of stimulating further research and the development of novel device functionalities exploiting these effects. Single-molecule junctions, which exist at the intersection of quantum physics and molecular electronics, are a rapidly advancing topic of research. This Review examines quantum correlation phenomena in these systems.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"8 1","pages":"9-26"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145916056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-03DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00892-8
May Chiao, Didier Queloz
To understand how life began on Earth billions of years ago, a global community must work collaboratively to study the emergence of the necessary molecular building blocks and how they evolved into complex life in different environments.
{"title":"Ingredients for finding the origins of life","authors":"May Chiao, Didier Queloz","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00892-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00892-8","url":null,"abstract":"To understand how life began on Earth billions of years ago, a global community must work collaboratively to study the emergence of the necessary molecular building blocks and how they evolved into complex life in different environments.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 11","pages":"602-603"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-025-00892-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145429596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Three decades of the search for life on other planets","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00891-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00891-9","url":null,"abstract":"Thirty years ago, the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star launched a search for Earth 2.0 and the answer to the question of life.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 11","pages":"595-595"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-025-00891-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145429599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00889-3
Daniel Leykam, Haoran Xue, Baile Zhang, Y. D. Chong
Topological states of light can possess interesting properties, such as strong light localization and robust waveguiding, with promising applications in lasers, integrated optical chips and other photonic devices. For these applications to materialize, it is necessary to understand the precise limitations and possibilities of photonic topological states and devices. In this critical evaluation, we highlight the approximate nature of topological protection in photonic systems and discuss the circumstances in which this protection can, and cannot, play a useful role. Photonic topological states can possess exceptional properties, but their protection is approximate, depending on the type of band topology. This Perspective clarifies these differences and explains their implications for technological applications.
{"title":"Limitations and possibilities of topological photonics","authors":"Daniel Leykam, Haoran Xue, Baile Zhang, Y. D. Chong","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00889-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00889-3","url":null,"abstract":"Topological states of light can possess interesting properties, such as strong light localization and robust waveguiding, with promising applications in lasers, integrated optical chips and other photonic devices. For these applications to materialize, it is necessary to understand the precise limitations and possibilities of photonic topological states and devices. In this critical evaluation, we highlight the approximate nature of topological protection in photonic systems and discuss the circumstances in which this protection can, and cannot, play a useful role. Photonic topological states can possess exceptional properties, but their protection is approximate, depending on the type of band topology. This Perspective clarifies these differences and explains their implications for technological applications.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"8 1","pages":"55-64"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145916058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-23DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00881-x
Magdalena Bazalova-Carter, Emil Schüler, Anthony Mascia, Marcel van Herk
FLASH radiotherapy, a new ultra-high dose rate modality, promises to improve cancer treatment by decreasing normal-tissue toxicity while maintaining effective tumour control. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which delivers radiation over minutes, FLASH operates on sub-second timescales, which presents unique opportunities and challenges. Key aspects of FLASH radiotherapy development discussed in this Review include advances in treatment planning, dosimetry and beam delivery systems. Innovative strategies for real-time imaging and quality assurance are essential to address the complexities of ultra-fast delivery. We emphasize the importance of integrating safety measures and robust clinical protocols to achieve the transformative potential of FLASH radiotherapy. FLASH radiotherapy delivers a cancer treatment dose in less than a second, reducing side effects while maintaining tumour control. This Review explores technological advances, safety considerations and future directions needed to bring this promising ultra-fast radiotherapy approach into clinical practice.
{"title":"Balancing innovation and safety in FLASH radiotherapy","authors":"Magdalena Bazalova-Carter, Emil Schüler, Anthony Mascia, Marcel van Herk","doi":"10.1038/s42254-025-00881-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s42254-025-00881-x","url":null,"abstract":"FLASH radiotherapy, a new ultra-high dose rate modality, promises to improve cancer treatment by decreasing normal-tissue toxicity while maintaining effective tumour control. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which delivers radiation over minutes, FLASH operates on sub-second timescales, which presents unique opportunities and challenges. Key aspects of FLASH radiotherapy development discussed in this Review include advances in treatment planning, dosimetry and beam delivery systems. Innovative strategies for real-time imaging and quality assurance are essential to address the complexities of ultra-fast delivery. We emphasize the importance of integrating safety measures and robust clinical protocols to achieve the transformative potential of FLASH radiotherapy. FLASH radiotherapy delivers a cancer treatment dose in less than a second, reducing side effects while maintaining tumour control. This Review explores technological advances, safety considerations and future directions needed to bring this promising ultra-fast radiotherapy approach into clinical practice.","PeriodicalId":19024,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Physics","volume":"7 12","pages":"682-695"},"PeriodicalIF":39.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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