Nature Physics

Nature Physics, Published online: 18 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01369-y

The evolution of many-body magnetic spin systems is influenced by many factors, including inhomogeneity and the presence of interfaces. These effects have now been measured in a far-from-equilibrium binary mixture of ultracold gases.

Nature Physics, Published online: 18 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01350-9

A state that breaks time-reversal symmetry is observed in the normal phase above the superconducting critical temperature in a multiband superconductor. This could be explained by correlations between the Cooper pairs formed in different bands.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01382-1

Molecular spin qubits that can be controlled electrically are typically susceptible to decoherence. Holmium molecular spins provide a solution by combining robust coherence with strong spin–electric coupling.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01358-1

At high pressure and temperature, water forms two crystalline phases, known as hot ‘black’ ices due to their partial opaqueness. A detailed characterization of these phases may explain magnetic field formation in giant icy planets like Neptune.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01365-2

Integrating quantum technology with existing telecom infrastructure is hampered by a mismatch in operating frequencies. An optomechanical resonator now offers a strain-mediated spin–photon interface for long-distance quantum networks.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01355-4

Through chemical design, the spins in molecular nanomagnets may be used as electrically tunable qubits. Electrical control of molecular distortion enables manipulation of the quantum spin state while suppressing decoherence from magnetic fields.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01344-7

Atoms in a semiconductor can have non-zero nuclear spins, creating a large ensemble with many quantum degrees of freedom. An electron spin coupled to the nuclei of a semiconductor quantum dot can witness the creation of entanglement within the ensemble.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01351-8

Measurements of the phase diagram of water reveal first-order phase transitions to face- and body-centred cubic superionic ice phases. The former is suggested to be present in the interior of ice giant planets.

Nature Physics, Published online: 14 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01364-3

Quantum networks require a connection between quantum memories and optical links, which often operate in different frequency ranges. An optomechanical device exploiting the strain dependence of a colour-centre spin provides such a spin–optics interface at room temperature.

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01384-z

The measure of a cell

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01375-0

On our bookshelf

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01389-8

The duality of a multitude

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01387-w

Double superconductivity

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01385-y

Origami octopus

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01388-9

Not so fast

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01386-x

Fade away

Nature Physics, Published online: 06 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01377-y

Into the unknown

Nature Physics, Published online: 04 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01366-1

The interaction between light and the crystal lattice of a quantum material can modify its properties. Utilizing nonlinear interactions allows this to be done in a controlled way to design specific non-equilibrium functionalities.

Nature Physics, Published online: 04 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01335-8

A study of growing apples shows that the singular cusp at the stalk has a universal form that arises due to the differential growth of a soft solid. Although the cusps are usually symmetric, they can lose stability to form lobes that depend on the geometry of the fruit.

Nature Physics, Published online: 04 October 2021; doi:10.1038/s41567-021-01371-4

Network representations of complex systems are limited to pairwise interactions, but real-world systems often involve higher-order interactions. This Perspective looks at the new physics emerging from attempts to characterize these interactions.