Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
This Review covers the intriguing physics behind orbital angular momentum lasers, summarizing the exciting prospects at the interface between structured light and structured matter.
Non-fullerene acceptors have boosted the development of organic photovoltaics. This Review highlights the photophysics and device physics of non-fullerene organic photovoltaics, including exciton generation, diffusion, transport, separation and charge recombination.
Developing photodetectors that work across the electromagnetic spectrum remains a challenge, and there are many trade-offs to be considered, including speed, efficiency, noise, spectral detection range and cost. This Review discusses the photophysical attributes of the active materials that define the interrelated aspects of response amplitude and temporal dynamics in photodetectors.
This Review summarizes differences in several mechanical properties that play a role in human cancer development, at the cell and tissue levels. Comprehensive cell and tissue quantitative mechanical properties are provided based on cancer types and organs of origin.
The standard model of particle physics describes the fundamental constituents of matter and their interactions. We review the status of experimental hints for new physics, which, if confirmed, would require the extension of the standard model with new particles and new interactions.
Similar to acoustic and electromagnetic waves, water waves are classical waves that can be controlled by artificial structures such as water wave crystals and metamaterials. This Review surveys the development of water wave manipulation using artificial structures and describes its potential applications.
Structure and function of biological tissues are closely intertwined. This Review surveys the challenges in uncovering critical physical elements involved in the mechanical regulation of curved tissues across different length scales and examines how changes in curvature influence cell functions.
Quantum nanophotonics examines the interaction between emitters and light confined at the nanoscale. This Review highlights the experimental progress in the field, explains new light–matter interaction regimes and emphasizes their potential applications in quantum technologies.
Complex biological, social and engineering systems operate through intricate connectivity patterns. Understanding their robustness and resilience against disturbances is crucial for applications. This Review addresses systemic breakdown, cascading failures and potential interventions, highlighting the importance of research at the crossroad of statistical physics and machine learning.
This Review categorizes the physics of many different light-based 3D printing modalities and expounds on the light–matter interactions required for the creation of (multi-)material 3D structures. An outlook is provided regarding key printing performance parameters and future directions.
Advances in superheavy element studies providing insight into the nuclear and atomic structure and the chemical behaviour of these exotic short-lived systems will help push to the limit of the periodic table of elements and revise the concept of the island of stability.
Beyond in vivo models, stem cell-based in vitro models and theoretical models of morphogenesis have been constructed to recapitulate morphogenetic events during embryo development with heightened quantitative specificity. This Review discusses the accomplishments, challenges and opportunities of these models in promoting knowledge of mammalian development, including human development.
Non-Hermitian acoustic resonances in open systems provide a versatile platform to manipulate sound–matter interaction. This Review article surveys the fundamental physics of various acoustic resonances and their uses in realizing different acoustic wave-based applications.
Photonic systems provide a versatile platform to explore and use bound states in the continuum. This Review discusses the potential of these states for enhancing light–matter interactions in various applications and investigating the physics of emerging photonic systems.
Energy-recovery linacs are far more efficient than traditional linacs because they directly return the energy of an unused particle beam into RF power that can be used for acceleration. This Review surveys the opportunities and challenges for bringing energy-recovery linacs into the mainstream.
Kagome materials provide great opportunities for investigating diverse quantum phenomena based on the interplay of topology, electron correlation and magnetism. This Review describes the fundamental physics and properties of contemporary kagome materials and their open questions and future research directions.
The superconducting diode effect, in which a nonreciprocal supercurrent is generated, enables new superconducting circuit functionalities. In this Review, we present the recent experimental results in the context of theoretical work and provide an analysis of the intertwining parameters that contribute to this effect.
Spin caloritronics explores the interplay among spin, heat and charges in condensed matter towards new thermoelectric functionalities and applications. This Review provides an analysis of the role of spin in enhancing charge-based thermoelectricity, magneto-thermoelectricity and thermospin effects.
Quantum computers are expected to surpass classical computers and transform industries. This Review focuses on quantum computing for financial applications and provides a summary for physicists on potential advantages and limitations of quantum techniques, as well as challenges that physicists could help tackle.
Amyloid formation is an important class of protein self-assembly behaviour that is linked to functional processes and disease. This Review describes amyloid formation through the lens of general phase transitions, building on both classical and non-classical nucleation theories to illuminate fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.