: Physics Articles
Editorial: The oxygen of publicityThe Large Hadron Collider launched in a blaze of publicity. But, amid claims that the machine would destroy the Earth, is all publicity good publicity? Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp745-745 |
News and Views: Quantum-displacement detection: SQUIDs at the limitSuperconducting quantum interference devices, or SQUIDs, are usually used as high-sensitivity magnetic-field detectors. Embedding bar resonators into them could enable this sensitivity to be exploited for displacement measurements at the quantum limit. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp753-754 |
News and Views: Anderson localization of light: A little disorder is just rightAs with most things in life, some disorder can cause unexpected new phenomena. But when it comes to disorder-induced Anderson localization of light in a photonic crystal, simulations suggest that moderation may be the best policy. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp755-756 |
Letter: Simulating a quantum magnet with trapped ionsThe observation of controlled adiabatic evolution from paramagnetic into ferromagnetic order in a system made of two trapped ions represents an initial step into the emerging field of quantum simulation. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp757-761 |
Letter: Strong correlations make high-temperature superconductors robust against disorderWhy are the superconducting pairs in high-temperature superconductors so resilient to the presence of disorder? The strong electronic correlations appear to be the answer. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp762-765 |
Letter: Spin-glass order induced by dynamic frustrationDisorder and geometric frustration usually lead to magnetic spins that point in random directions, as in a spin glass. So how can spin-glass behaviour emerge in a well-ordered system without static frustration? The presence of ‘dynamic frustration’ may explain the situation. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp766-770 |
Letter: Thermodynamic signature of growing amorphous order in glass-forming liquidsThat the dynamical properties of a glass-forming liquid at high temperature are different from behaviour in the supercooled state has already been established. Numerical simulations now suggest that the static length scale over which spatial correlations exist also changes on approaching the glass transition. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp771-775 |
Letter: Electrically driven single-electron spin resonance in a slanting Zeeman fieldThe integration of a micrometre-sized magnet with a semiconductor device has enabled the individual manipulation of two single electron spins. This approach may provide a scalable route for quantum computing with electron spins confined in quantum dots. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp776-779 |
Letter: Ultrafast control of donor-bound electron spins with single detuned optical pulsesA technique that controls electron spins using single optical pulses far detuned from the optical transition has been demonstrated. This approach may enable fast spin manipulation in a variety of solid-state systems. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp780-784 |
Letter: Motion detection of a micromechanical resonator embedded in a d.c. SQUIDSuperconducting quantum interference devices, or SQUIDs as they are better known, are capable of detecting minute variations in magnetic field. Embedding a suspended beam into the structure of d.c. SQUID enables this sensitivity to be exploited for measuring displacements. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp785-788 |
Letter: Membrane-induced bundling of actin filamentsCells can change shape by reorganizing the actin filaments that make up the cytoskeleton, and this is usually achieved through protein interactions. But it seems that the cell membrane, by virtue of its elasticity, can also influence the bundling of actin filaments. Nature Physics, vol. 4 #10, pp789-793 |