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

From Literature to Lab: Closed-Loop Advancement of Perovskite Solar Cells via Domain Knowledge Guided LLM

This paper introduces PVK-LLM, a domain-knowledge-guided framework that integrates Large Language Models with hierarchical Bayesian Optimization to autonomously discover a novel, high-efficiency perovskite solar cell recipe achieving over 26.0% power conversion efficiency, thereby overcoming the limitations of general LLMs in navigating complex material design spaces.

Penglei Sun, Shuyan Chen, Xiang Liu, Longhan Zhang, Huajie You, Chang Yan, Yongqi Zhang, Xiaowen Chu, Tong-yi Zhang2026-02-06
🔬 mesoscale physics

Vertical Nb Josephson junctions fabricated by direct metal deposition on both surfaces of freestanding graphene layers

This paper presents a scalable fabrication method for vertical Nb/graphene/Nb Josephson junctions using a freestanding van der Waals membrane architecture that enables double-sided metal deposition without exposing oxidation-sensitive interfaces, resulting in high-quality devices with reproducible supercurrents and clear superconducting characteristics.

Yoonkang Kim, Seongbeom Kim, Jeonglyul Kim, Kikyung Jung, Sejin An, Jieun Lee, Hyobin Yoo, Joon Young Park, Gyu-Chul Yi2026-02-06
🔬 mesoscale physics

Spin current generation via magnetic skyrmion, bimeron, and meron crystals

This study demonstrates that two-dimensional topological spin textures—specifically skyrmion, bimeron, and meron crystals—serve as efficient sources of spin current with distinct polarization characteristics governed by their magnetic symmetries and spin-orbit coupling, thereby expanding design possibilities for spintronic devices even in the absence of net magnetization.

Aoi Kajihara, Shun Okumura, Yukitoshi Motome2026-02-06
🔬 materials science

The thermodynamics of CaSiO3 in Earth's lower mantle

Using first-principles simulations with the stochastic self-consistent harmonic approximation and the Wigner formalism, this study establishes that cubic CaSiO3 is the stable phase in Earth's lower mantle, characterized by a linear first-order phase boundary, reduced sensitivity of transverse sound velocity to octahedral rotations, and predominantly particle-like lattice thermal conductivity despite strong ionic anharmonicity.

Yongjoong Shin, Enrico Di Lucente, Nicola Marzari, Lorenzo Monacelli2026-02-05
🔬 materials science

Phonon selection and interference in momentum-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy

This paper introduces the concept of the "interferometric Brillouin zone" and a new mathematical formalism to explain phonon selection rules and interference effects in momentum-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (q-EELS), demonstrating how these principles enable polarization-selective vibrational analysis and are applicable to various wave phenomena.

Thomas W. Pfeifer, Harrison A. Walker, Henry T. Aller, Samuel Graham, Sokrates Pantelides, Jordan A. Hachtel, Patrick E. (…)2026-02-05
🔬 applied physics

Indium selenides for next-generation low-power computing devices

This perspective paper evaluates the potential of van der Waals indium selenides (InSe and In2Se3) to overcome silicon's physical limits in next-generation low-power computing by leveraging their high electron mobility, tunable bandgaps, and unique ferroelectric properties for high-performance logic and non-volatile memory applications, while outlining key challenges and a roadmap for their commercial realization.

Seunguk Song, Michael Altvater, Wonchan Lee, Hyeon Suk Shin, Nicholas Glavin, Deep Jariwala2026-02-05
🔬 materials science

Visualization of defect-induced interband proximity effect at the nanoscale

Using millikelvin scanning tunneling microscopy on clean-limit lead, this study demonstrates how crystallographic defects can locally tune interband coupling to transform the superconducting order parameter from two distinct gaps to a single merged gap, thereby providing a direct experimental route to visualize and control defect-induced interband proximity effects in multiband superconductors.

Thomas Gozlinski, Qili Li, Rolf Heid, Oleg Kurnosikov, Alexander Haas, Ryohei Nemoto, Toyo Kazu Yamada, Joerg Schmalian (…)2026-02-05