Condensed matter physics and materials science form a dynamic partnership, exploring how the collective behavior of atoms gives rise to the unique properties of solids and liquids. This field bridges the gap between fundamental quantum mechanics and the practical engineering of everything from flexible electronics to superconductors, turning abstract theories into tangible innovations that shape our daily lives.

At Gist.Science, we process every new preprint in this category directly from arXiv to make these complex discoveries accessible to everyone. Our team generates both plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries for each paper, ensuring that researchers, students, and curious minds alike can grasp the latest breakthroughs without getting lost in dense jargon.

Below are the latest papers in condensed matter and materials science, organized by their most recent publication dates.

Autonomous Multi-objective Alloy Design through Simulation-guided Optimization

The paper presents AutoMAT, an autonomous hierarchical framework that integrates large language models, automated CALPHAD simulations, and AI-guided optimization to efficiently discover and experimentally validate high-performance alloys, successfully identifying a lightweight titanium alloy and a high-entropy alloy with superior properties while compressing the discovery timeline from years to weeks.

Penghui Yang, Chendong Zhao, Bijun Tang, Zhonghan Zhang, Xinrun Wang, Yanchen Deng, Xuyu Dong, Yuhao Lu, Jianguo Huang, Yixuan Li, Yushan Xiao, Cuntai Guan, Zheng Liu, Bo An2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Wannier based analysis of the direct-indirect bandgap transition by stacking MoS2_2 layers

This study employs a combined first-principles and Wannier-based model to reveal that the direct-to-indirect bandgap transition in layered MoS2_2 is driven not only by interlayer pzp_z-pzp_z coupling but also critically by previously overlooked pzp_z-pxp_x and pzp_z-pyp_y orbital interactions between neighboring sulfur atoms.

Shunsuke Hirai, Ibuki Terada, Michi-To Suzuki2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mes-hall

Role of magnon-magnon interaction in optical excitation of coherent two-magnon modes

This study investigates the previously unexplored role of magnon-magnon interactions in the coherent optical excitation of two-magnon modes in a cubic antiferromagnet, revealing their nontrivial influence on time-domain dynamics and providing a unified theoretical framework that connects spontaneous Raman scattering with Impulsive Stimulated Raman Scattering spectra.

E. A. Arkhipova, A. E. Fedianin, I. A. Eliseyev, R. M. Dubrovin, P. P. Syrnikov, V. Yu. Davydov, A. M. Kalashnikova2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Building an Affordable Self-Driving Lab: Practical Machine Learning Experiments for Physics Education Using Internet-of-Things

This paper presents a low-cost, open-source IoT platform utilizing an Arduino and LED array to enable physics students to conduct autonomous, closed-loop experiments that train and compare machine learning algorithms, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical ML concepts and practical experimental skills.

Yang Liu, Qianjie Lei, Xiaolong He, Yizhe Xue, Kexin He, Haitao Yang, Yong Wang, Xian Zhang, Li Yang, Yichun Zhou, Ruiqi Hu, Yong Xie2026-04-16🔬 physics

Finetuning-Free Diffusion Model with Adaptive Constraint Guidance for Inorganic Crystal Structure Generation

This paper presents a finetuning-free diffusion model framework enhanced with adaptive constraint guidance and a multi-step validation pipeline to generate diverse, thermodynamically stable inorganic crystal structures that satisfy user-defined physical and chemical constraints.

Auguste de Lambilly, Vladimir Baturin, David Portehault, Guillaume Lambard, Nataliya Sokolovska, Florence d'Alché-Buc, Jean-Claude Crivello2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Extreme Terahertz Nonlinear Phononics by Coherence-Imprinted Control of Hybrid Order

This paper reports the discovery of an extreme terahertz nonlinear phononics mechanism in Ta2NiSe5\text{Ta}_2\text{NiSe}_5, where a highly susceptible non-equilibrium electronic correlation bath dramatically amplifies lattice nonlinearities to generate a rich landscape of approximately 30 distinct multi-order quantum pathways, establishing a new benchmark for coherence-imprinted hybrid electronic-phonon order.

Liang Luo, Avinash Khatri, Martin Mootz, Tao Jiang, Liu Yang, Zijing Chen, Chuankun Huang, Zhi Xiang Chong, Joongmok Park, Ilias E. Perakis, Zhiwei Wang, Yugui Yao, Dao Xiang, Yong-Xin Yao, Jigang Wan (…)2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Sub-nm range momentum-dependent exciton transfer from a 2D semiconductor to graphene

Using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy on MoSe2_2/graphene heterostructures, this study demonstrates that sub-nanometer-range exciton transfer is governed by charge tunneling rather than dipolar interactions, as evidenced by a consistent 2.5\approx 2.5 ps transfer time that vanishes when a 1 nm hexagonal boron nitride spacer is introduced.

Aditi Raman Moghe, Delphine Lagarde, Sotirios Papadopoulos, Etienne Lorchat, Luis E. Parra López, Loïc Moczko, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Michelangelo Romeo, Maxime Mauguet, Xavier Marie, Arna (…)2026-04-16🔬 cond-mat.mes-hall

Confinement-controlled pathways to complex skyrmionic textures in Co/W/Pt multilayers

This study demonstrates that geometric confinement in Pt/Co/W multilayer micro-tracks acts as a universal control parameter to deterministically guide a hierarchical transformation of magnetic textures from labyrinth domains to isolated skyrmions and finally to complex higher-order states like skyrmion bags at room temperature, offering a scalable strategy for multistate spintronic applications.

Y. Al Sadi, R. Sbiaa, W. Al Saidi, M. Souier, G. Lezier, O. Marbouh, M. T. Z. Myint, Y. Dusch, S. Al Harthi, A. Talbi, N. Tiercelin, S. N. Piramanayagam2026-04-16🔬 physics.app-ph