Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2019

Electrons with fractional dimension have been observed in an artificial Sierpiński triangle, demonstrating their quantum fractal nature.

The solutions adopted by the high-energy physics community to foster reproducible research are examples of best practices that could be embraced more widely. This first experience suggests that reproducibility requires going beyond openness.

The weak interaction between the nucleus and the electrons in a chain of Yb isotopes is measured with tabletop atomic physics techniques. The dependence of the interaction strength on the number of neutrons confirms the prediction by standard model.

Strong and long-range interactions between Rydberg states of neutral atoms can be mapped to light via electromagnetically induced transparency, realizing a photon–photon quantum gate for quantum communications and networking.

Electrons are confined to an artificial Sierpiński triangle. Microscopy measurements show that their wavefunctions become self-similar and their quantum properties inherit a non-integer dimension between 1 and 2.

By means of a novel referencing technique that is based on the high stability of frequency combs, broadband phase spectra from plasmonics rulers can now be used to measure dynamic motion of nanostructures with picometre resolution.

High coupling efficiency between laser-induced hohlraum X-rays and targets is essential for reaching long-sought regimes for viable inertial confinement fusion. Experiments with a rugby hohlraum shape and an improved capsule now allow demonstration of more than 30%.

A transport study of overdoped cuprates reveals a resistivity that is linear as the temperature approaches 0 K, and is associated with a universal scattering rate.

The creation and manipulation of large quantum states is necessary for quantum information processing tasks. Three-level, four-partite cluster states have now been created in the time and frequency domain of two photons on-chip.

New fractional quantum Hall states are observed in a higher Landau level in graphene. Calculations indicate that a non-Abelian parton state is the most likely candidate state, which has implications for topological quantum computation.

Evidence is provided that quantum random circuit sampling, a near-term quantum computational task, is classically hard but verifiable, making it a leading proposal for achieving quantum supremacy.

Large-scale numerical examination of a disordered Bose–Hubbard model in two dimensions shows entanglement based signature of many-body localization, providing answers to the challenging questions posed by recent experiments.

Photoionization is one of the most important photophysical events. This process can now be characterized in a quantum-mechanically complete manner by use of polarization-controlled extreme-ultraviolet light derived from a free-electron laser

A dynamic dependency framework describes general interdependent and competitive interactions between nodes in multilayer networks and is used to study spreading phenomena.

A polariton is a hybrid excitation resulting from strong light–matter coupling. The magneto-transport measurements have now revealed the crucial role played by its electronic component.

Artificial spin-ice materials are usually described by spins that are either up or down. Here, a new type of spin ice is fabricated where the spins can be in one of three states with different coexisting phases separated by a first-order transition.

Beer is a high-quality product that comes with a dedicated set of units. Stefanie Reichert and Bart Verberck elaborate on the most common ones.