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.

🔬 materials science

Modulation of charge density waves in a twisted vortex moire superlattice

This study demonstrates that a twisted vortex moire superlattice formed between monolayer VTe2 and NbSe2 enables nanoscale manipulation of charge density waves through strain-induced reconstruction of the CDW landscape, creating inequivalent local phases that compete with proximity-induced superconductivity.

Qian Fang, Yanhao Shi, Jingyi Duan, Hui Guo, Yikai Chen, Senhao Lv, Jiayi Wang, Zhongyi Cao, Jiayi Huang, Siyu Xu, Haita (…)2026-05-27
🔬 mesoscale physics

Anharmonic Quantum Transport Analysis of Thermal Transport Anomalies in Ultrathin Silicon Nanowires

This study employs anharmonic non-equilibrium Green's function simulations combined with machine learning potentials to reveal that thermal conductivity in ultrathin silicon nanowires exhibits a nonmonotonic dependence on diameter due to hydrodynamic phonon flow at room temperature and quantized quasi-ballistic transport at cryogenic temperatures, overcoming the limitations of classical molecular dynamics in capturing quantum effects.

Lokanath Patra, Mayur Pratap Singh, Satish Kumar2026-05-27
🔬 mesoscale physics

Terahertz spin-current transparency through rough interfaces

This study demonstrates that interfacial spin transport in Co|Pt heterostructures remains remarkably robust against significant increases in interface roughness, as revealed by terahertz emission spectroscopy which shows only a minor (~30%) decrease in spin-current transparency despite a threefold increase in roughness and grain size.

Jiří Jechumtál, Jakub Zázvorka, Ondřej Novák, Martin Rejhon, Peter Kubaščík, Lukáš Nowak, Petr Němec, Eva Schmoranzerová (…)2026-05-27
🔬 optics

Probing the Effects of Heat Treatment Atmosphere on the Structural and Electrical Properties of NBT via Eu Photoluminescence

This study systematically demonstrates that the oxygen partial pressure during pre-calcination critically regulates Bi volatilization, grain growth, and oxygen-vacancy concentrations in Na0.5Bi0.465Sr0.02Eu0.005TiO3 ceramics, thereby determining their structural order and electrical conductivity through Eu3+ photoluminescence insights.

Zongxue Wang, Duanting Yan, Hancheng Zhu2026-05-27
🔬 materials science

Molecular Dynamics Study of Defect Evolution Mechanisms in 3C-SiC for Quantum Technologies

This study utilizes molecular dynamics simulations and Nudged Elastic Band calculations to characterize the migration barriers and diffusivities of point defects in 3C-SiC, revealing a mobility hierarchy that governs the competition between recombination and aggregation processes critical for stabilizing spin-active defect centers in quantum technologies.

Irslan Ullah Ashraf, Gaetano Calogero, Ioannis Deretzis, Giorgio Lo Presti, Damiano Ricciarelli, Elisabetta Paladino, An (…)2026-05-27
🔬 materials science

Origin of the Temperature-Induced Gap Bowing of Formamidinium-Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskites: Role of Cationic Rattlers

By combining temperature and pressure-dependent photoluminescence measurements on FA-MA lead iodide perovskite single crystals, this study identifies that the pronounced temperature-induced gap bowing in low-temperature phases is primarily driven by an anomalous electron-phonon coupling mechanism involving mixed vibrational modes of inorganic cage tilting and formamidinium "rattler" librations.

Kai Xu, Adrián Francisco-López, Bethan L. Charles, M. Isabel Alonso, Miquel Garriga, Mark T. Weller, Alejandro R. Goñi2026-05-27
🔬 mesoscale physics

A Levitated Random Telegraph Noise Spectrometer

This paper presents a levitated microparticle spectrometer that exploits a resonant amplification of position fluctuations to characterize the spectral properties of Random Telegraph Noise across six decades of timescale, offering a novel platform for studying non-equilibrium stochastic dynamics in systems ranging from quantum technologies to biological and social behaviors.

Molly Message, Bianca C. J. Uy, Katie O'Flynn, Yugang Ren, Muddassar Rashid, Jonathan D. Pritchett, Qiongyuan Wu, Hyukjo (…)2026-05-27