No man is an island - p1

doi:10.1038/nphys1162

The financial crisis underlines the need for new economic models — models that can only be built by following a truly interdisciplinary approach.

Full Text - No man is an island | PDF (115 KB) - No man is an island

2009 and all that - p1

doi:10.1038/nphys1181

For the new year, we have a new look.

Full Text - 2009 and all that | PDF (115 KB) - 2009 and all that

Economics crisis - pp2 - 3

Thomas Lux & Frank Westerhoff

doi:10.1038/nphys1163

Economic theory failed to envisage even the possibility of a financial crisis like the present one. A new foundation is needed that takes into account the interplay between heterogeneous agents.

Full Text - Economics crisis | PDF (81 KB) - Economics crisis

Know the unknown - p5

Mark Buchanan

doi:10.1038/nphys1164

Full Text - Know the unknown | PDF (73 KB) - Know the unknown

The autist aesthete - pp7 - 8

Richard Webb reviews The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Quantum Genius by Graham Farmelo

doi:10.1038/nphys1166

Full Text - The autist aesthete | PDF (304 KB) - The autist aesthete

Exhibition: Lucky for some - p8

doi:10.1038/nphys1167

Full Text - ExhibitionLucky for some | PDF (202 KB) - ExhibitionLucky for some

Our choice from the recent literature - p9

doi:10.1038/nphys1165

Full Text - Our choice from the recent literature | PDF (99 KB) - Our choice from the recent literature

Quantum tomography: Measured measurement - pp11 - 12

Markus Aspelmeyer

doi:10.1038/nphys1170

A method for characterizing quantum measurement devices completes the suite of 'tomography techniques', which should enable us to learn all there is to know about a given quantum-physics experiment.

Full Text - Quantum tomographyMeasured measurement | PDF (113 KB) - Quantum tomographyMeasured measurement

Subject Categories: Quantum physics | Techniques and instrumentation

See also: Letter by Lundeen et al.

Spintronics: Electric spin orchestra - pp12 - 13

Yasuhiro Tokura

doi:10.1038/nphys1173

Localized electron spins can be manipulated electrically through electric-dipole spin resonance. The ensemble of mechanisms involved has now been brought under the baton of a unifying theoretical description.

Full Text - SpintronicsElectric spin orchestra | PDF (89 KB) - SpintronicsElectric spin orchestra

Subject Category: Electronics, photonics and device physics

Condensed matter: How do your crystals grow? - pp13 - 14

Simon J. L. Billinge

doi:10.1038/nphys1172

More than 100 years ago, Wilhelm Ostwald predicted that crystalline structures would grow from the melt via a series of unstable states — now this cascade has been observed directly in an inorganic semiconductor.

Full Text - Condensed matterHow do your crystals grow? | PDF (222 KB) - Condensed matterHow do your crystals grow?

Subject Categories: Condensed-matter physics | Materials physics

See also: Article by Chung et al.

High-temperature superconductors: Vortices wiggled and dragged - pp15 - 16

Charles Reichhardt

doi:10.1038/nphys1169

The ability to manipulate an individual superconducting vortex represents a powerful tool for studying the dynamics of vortices and the superconductors that support them. It could also lead to the development of a new class of fluxon-based electronics.

Full Text - High-temperature superconductorsVortices wiggled and dragged | PDF (317 KB) - High-temperature superconductorsVortices wiggled and dragged

Subject Category: Condensed-matter physics

See also: Letter by Auslaender et al.

Matter waves: Cloaking matters - p16

David Gevaux

doi:10.1038/nphys1168

Full Text - Matter wavesCloaking matters | PDF (130 KB) - Matter wavesCloaking matters

X-ray imaging: Caught in a spin - pp17 - 18

Keith A. Nugent

doi:10.1038/nphys1171

An algorithm that enables a protein's molecular structure to be determined from the faintest of diffraction patterns could increase the potential of next-generation X-ray sources.

Full Text - X-ray imagingCaught in a spin | PDF (188 KB) - X-ray imagingCaught in a spin

Subject Categories: Optical physics | Nanotechnology | Techniques and instrumentation

See also: Article by Fung et al.

On our bookshelf - p18

doi:10.1038/nphys1179

Full Text - On our bookshelf | PDF (37 KB) - On our bookshelf

Measurement-based quantum computation - pp19 - 26

H. J. Briegel, D. E. Browne, W. Dür, R. Raussendorf & M. Van den Nest

doi:10.1038/nphys1157

So-called one-way schemes have emerged as a powerful model to describe and implement quantum computation. This article reviews recent progress, highlights connections to other areas of physics and discusses future directions.

Abstract - Measurement-based quantum computation | Full Text - Measurement-based quantum computation | PDF (700 KB) - Measurement-based quantum computation

Tomography of quantum detectors - pp27 - 30

J. S. Lundeen, A. Feito, H. Coldenstrodt-Ronge, K. L. Pregnell, Ch. Silberhorn, T. C. Ralph, J. Eisert, M. B. Plenio & I. A. Walmsley

doi:10.1038/nphys1133

In quantum mechanics, measurement has a fundamentally different role than in classical physics. Now a general method has been devised to characterize a quantum measurement device, completing the suite of so-called tomography techniques required to fully specify an experiment.

First Paragraph - Tomography of quantum detectors | Full Text - Tomography of quantum detectors | PDF (1,642 KB) - Tomography of quantum detectors

Subject Categories: Quantum physics | Techniques and instrumentation

See also: News and Views by Aspelmeyer

Linear temperature dependence of resistivity and change in the Fermi surface at the pseudogap critical point of a high-T_c superconductor - pp31 - 34

R. Daou, Nicolas Doiron-Leyraud, David LeBoeuf, S. Y. Li, Francis Laliberté, Olivier Cyr-Choinière, Y. J. Jo, L. Balicas, J.-Q. Yan, J.-S. Zhou, J. B. Goodenough & Louis Taillefer

doi:10.1038/nphys1109

Transport measurements in a high-temperature superconductor provide evidence that the so-called pseudogap phase ends at a quantum critical point located inside the superconducting dome in the phase diagram of cuprates.

First Paragraph - Linear temperature dependence of resistivity and change in the Fermi surface at the pseudogap critical point of a high-: T: c: superconductor | Full Text - Linear temperature dependence of resistivity and change in the Fermi surface at the pseudogap critical point of a high-Tc superconductor | PDF (6,182 KB) - Linear temperature dependence of resistivity and change in the Fermi surface at the pseudogap critical point of a high-Tc superconductor | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Condensed-matter physics

Mechanics of individual isolated vortices in a cuprate superconductor - pp35 - 39

Ophir M. Auslaender, Lan Luan, Eric W. J. Straver, Jennifer E. Hoffman, Nicholas C. Koshnick, Eli Zeldov, Douglas A. Bonn, Ruixing Liang, Walter N. Hardy & Kathryn A. Moler

doi:10.1038/nphys1127

The ability to wiggle and stretch individual superconducting vortices with nanoscale precision enables unprecedented insight into their dynamics and the properties of the superconductor that supports them.

First Paragraph - Mechanics of individual isolated vortices in a cuprate superconductor | Full Text - Mechanics of individual isolated vortices in a cuprate superconductor | PDF (1,002 KB) - Mechanics of individual isolated vortices in a cuprate superconductor | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Condensed-matter physics

See also: News and Views by Reichhardt

Fermi-surface-dependent superconducting gap in C₆Ca - pp40 - 43

K. Sugawara, T. Sato & T. Takahashi

doi:10.1038/nphys1128

High-resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements of the Fermi-surface and superconducting gap of high-quality C₆Ca crystals should help resolve the nature of the high-temperature superconducting behaviour of this and related intercalated graphite materials.

First Paragraph - Fermi-surface-dependent superconducting gap in C: 6: Ca | Full Text - Fermi-surface-dependent superconducting gap in C6Ca | PDF (1,664 KB) - Fermi-surface-dependent superconducting gap in C6Ca

Subject Category: Condensed-matter physics

Thermal-transport measurements in a quantum spin-liquid state of the frustrated triangular magnet -(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu₂(CN)₃ - pp44 - 47

Minoru Yamashita, Norihito Nakata, Yuichi Kasahara, Takahiko Sasaki, Naoki Yoneyama, Norio Kobayashi, Satoshi Fujimoto, Takasada Shibauchi & Yuji Matsuda

doi:10.1038/nphys1134

Low-temperature thermal-transport measurements of a frustrated organic magnet in which a quantum spin-liquid is believed to exist, suggest that the emergence of this state is accompanied by a spin-gap. This contradicts previous studies conducted at higher temperatures, suggesting that our understanding of this system should be re-evaluated.

First Paragraph - Thermal-transport measurements in a quantum spin-liquid state of the frustrated triangular magnet : nphys1134-m6: gif: 160: 13: 13: -(BEDT-TTF): 2: Cu: 2: (CN): 3 | Full Text - Thermal-transport measurements in a quantum spin-liquid state of the frustrated triangular magnet nphys1134-m6gif1601313-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3 | PDF (784 KB) - Thermal-transport measurements in a quantum spin-liquid state of the frustrated triangular magnet nphys1134-m6gif1601313-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3 | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Condensed-matter physics

Superconducting nanocircuits for topologically protected qubits - pp48 - 53

Sergey Gladchenko, David Olaya, Eva Dupont-Ferrier, Benoit Douçot, Lev B. Ioffe & Michael E. Gershenson

doi:10.1038/nphys1151

An array of superconducting nanocircuits has been designed that provides built-in protection from environmental noises. Such 'topologically protected' qubits could lead the way to a scalable architecture for practical quantum computation.

Abstract - Superconducting nanocircuits for topologically protected qubits | Full Text - Superconducting nanocircuits for topologically protected qubits | PDF (941 KB) - Superconducting nanocircuits for topologically protected qubits | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Techniques and instrumentation | Condensed-matter physics | Information theory and computation | Quantum physics

Size and mobility of excitons in (6, 5) carbon nanotubes - pp54 - 58

Larry Lüer, Sajjad Hoseinkhani, Dario Polli, Jared Crochet, Tobias Hertel & Guglielmo Lanzani

doi:10.1038/nphys1149

An accurate determination of the size and diffusion length of excitons generated with single-walled nanotubes supports the Wannier–Mott picture of their behaviour, and improves the outlook for the use of nanotubes in optoelectronics and biosensing applications.

Abstract - Size and mobility of excitons in (6, 5) carbon nanotubes | Full Text - Size and mobility of excitons in (6, 5) carbon nanotubes | PDF (1,598 KB) - Size and mobility of excitons in (6, 5) carbon nanotubes | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Condensed-matter physics | Electronics, photonics and device physics | Nanotechnology

Atomic and molecular signatures for charged-particle ionization - pp59 - 63

Ola Al-Hagan, Christian Kaiser, Don Madison & Andrew James Murray

doi:10.1038/nphys1135

Analysis of the ejection of electrons in a plane perpendicular to an incident electron beam reveals unexpected differences between the ionization behaviour of atoms and molecules. For molecules that have nuclei at their centres of mass, the angular distribution of emitted electrons is similar to that of atoms. But for those that don't, the shape of this distribution is qualitatively different.

Abstract - Atomic and molecular signatures for charged-particle ionization | Full Text - Atomic and molecular signatures for charged-particle ionization | PDF (651 KB) - Atomic and molecular signatures for charged-particle ionization

Subject Category: Atomic and molecular physics

Structure from fleeting illumination of faint spinning objects in flight - pp64 - 67

Russell Fung, Valentin Shneerson, Dilano K. Saldin & Abbas Ourmazd

doi:10.1038/nphys1129

An algorithm that reconstructs the structure of an object in flight from the diffraction pattern generated by exposing it to an ultrashort burst of X-rays should enhance the potential of free-electron lasers for studying individual molecules, virus and nanoparticles.

Abstract - Structure from fleeting illumination of faint spinning objects in flight | Full Text - Structure from fleeting illumination of faint spinning objects in flight | PDF (1,414 KB) - Structure from fleeting illumination of faint spinning objects in flight | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Optical physics | Nanotechnology | Techniques and instrumentation

See also: News and Views by Nugent

Multiphase transformation and Ostwald's rule of stages during crystallization of a metal phosphate - pp68 - 73

Sung-Yoon Chung, Young-Min Kim, Jin-Gyu Kim & Youn-Joong Kim

doi:10.1038/nphys1148

High-resolution electron microscope images collected in real time demonstrates the occurrence of multiple intermediary phases during the crystallization of a metal phosphate. The observations represent the first atomic-scale demonstration of Wilhelm Ostwald's 'rule of stages' proposed over a century ago.

Abstract - Multiphase transformation and Ostwald/'s rule of stages during crystallization of a metal phosphate | Full Text - Multiphase transformation and Ostwald's rule of stages during crystallization of a metal phosphate | PDF (2,043 KB) - Multiphase transformation and Ostwald's rule of stages during crystallization of a metal phosphate | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Condensed-matter physics | Materials physics

See also: News and Views by Billinge

Navigability of complex networks - pp74 - 80

Marián Boguñá, Dmitri Krioukov & K. C. Claffy

doi:10.1038/nphys1130

In many real-world processes that can be mapped onto complex networks—from cell signalling to transporting people—communication between distant nodes is surprisingly efficient, considering that no node has a full view of the entire network. A framework sets out to explain why 'navigability' is so efficient in these networks.

Abstract - Navigability of complex networks | Full Text - Navigability of complex networks | PDF (1,632 KB) - Navigability of complex networks | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Statistical physics, thermodynamics and nonlinear dynamics