Hep-Th, or high-energy theoretical physics, explores the fundamental building blocks of our universe and the forces that govern them. Researchers in this field use complex mathematics to understand everything from subatomic particles to the behavior of black holes, often pushing the boundaries of what we know about space and time.

At Gist.Science, we monitor the arXiv repository to ensure you stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving discipline. For every new preprint uploaded to arXiv under this category, our team generates both accessible plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries, making cutting-edge research understandable regardless of your background.

Below are the latest papers in high-energy theoretical physics, curated to help you navigate the most significant recent discoveries.

⚛️ general relativity

Singularities, Entropy and the Arrow of Time, {\it or} Is CRT a Gauge Symmetry in Quantum Gravity?

The paper argues that while CRT is generally not a gauge symmetry in quantum gravity, it can function as an asymptotic gauge symmetry in flat and AdS spaces or as a spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in eternal dS space under specific theoretical conditions, though practical measurement limitations in dS space constrain the physical realization of these concepts.

T. Banks2026-07-07
⚛️ phenomenology

First look at the evaluation of two-loop Feynman integrals for radiative return processes

This paper presents the calculation of planar two-loop four-point Feynman integrals with full electron mass dependence for radiative return processes, overcoming analytical complexities involving nested square roots and elliptic geometries to provide stable numerical evaluations essential for next-to-next-to-leading order QED predictions.

Mattia Pozzoli, William J. Torres Bobadilla2026-07-07
⚛️ general relativity

Black Hole Memory Burden and its Signatures in Gravitational Waves from Mergers

This paper demonstrates that the "swift memory burden" of black holes, which can vastly exceed the information content of their progenitors and significantly alter gravitational wave frequencies during mergers, serves as a probe into both the fundamental mechanisms of black hole information storage and their formation history.

Gia Dvali, Michael Zantedeschi, Sebastian Zell2026-07-07✓ Author reviewed
⚛️ general relativity

Conformal Renormalisation of 8D Einstein Gravity

This paper demonstrates that eight-dimensional Holographic Renormalisation is encoded in a unique conformal gravity theory that combines the Einstein-Hilbert action with a specific Euler term, effectively reproducing the regularised polynomial density and cancelling divergences through boundary terms, leading to a conjecture that this equivalence holds for all even dimensions.

Giorgos Anastasiou, Ignacio J. Araya, Nicolas Boulanger, Rodrigo Olea, Davide Rovere2026-07-07
⚛️ high-energy theory

From OPE Associativity to Gravitational Wave Signatures: Critical Dimensions and AdS/dS Transition

This paper establishes a theoretical framework linking the algebraic consistency of Conformal Field Theory operator product expansions to observable cosmological signatures, demonstrating that crossing a critical anomalous dimension threshold induces complex scaling dimensions in de Sitter space that manifest as distinctive log-periodic oscillations in the stochastic gravitational wave background.

Tetiana Obikhod2026-07-07