Nucl-Ex represents the dynamic frontier where scientists probe the fundamental building blocks of matter through high-energy experiments. By smashing particles together at incredible speeds or observing rare cosmic events, researchers uncover the forces that govern our universe and test the limits of our current understanding of physics.

At Gist.Science, we ensure these breakthroughs reach a broader audience by processing every new preprint in this field directly from arXiv. For each study, we provide both a clear, plain-language explanation of the core discoveries and a detailed technical summary for those seeking deeper insights. Below are the latest papers in nuclear experiment research, curated to help you stay informed on the latest developments from the lab.

Quantum Symmetry Restoration and Emergent Effective Deformation in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

This paper establishes a microscopic framework demonstrating that rotational symmetry restoration in relativistic heavy-ion collisions acts as a geometric low-pass filter that exponentially suppresses effective deformation modes, thereby reconciling the use of classically deformed geometries with the rotationally invariant quantum ground states of even-even nuclei.

Hao-jie Xu, Qun Wang2026-06-02✓ Author reviewed ⚛️ nucl-th

Proton radioactivity in deformed nuclei with microscopic optical potential: A novel angular-dependent emission mechanism in the nanosecond-lived 149^{149}Lu

This paper presents a novel theoretical framework combining deformed microscopic optical potentials with angular-dependent emission mechanisms to accurately predict the half-lives of oblate deformed proton emitters like 149^{149}Lu, revealing unprecedented angular emission phenomena and validating the model's predictive power for exotic nuclear decays.

Yin Fan, Sibo Wang, Xiao-Hua Li, Haozhao Liang2026-06-01⚛️ nucl-ex

Ab initio calculations of nuclear charge radii across and beyond 132{}^{132}Sn: Putting chiral EFT nuclear interactions to the test

This study employs ab initio Bogoliubov coupled cluster calculations to demonstrate that current chiral effective field theory interactions fail to simultaneously reproduce absolute charge radii, isotopic shifts, and the kink at 132^{132}Sn in the Tin isotopic chain, highlighting the need for improved theoretical methods and new experimental data to better constrain nuclear forces.

Pepijn Demol, Urban Vernik, Thomas Duguet, Alexander Tichai2026-05-29⚛️ nucl-ex

Search for Ξ0p\Xi^0p, Ωp\Omega^- p, and Ωn\Omega^- n dibaryons in Υ(1S)\Upsilon(1S) and Υ(2S)\Upsilon(2S) decays at Belle

Using data from 102 million Υ(1S)\Upsilon(1S) and 158 million Υ(2S)\Upsilon(2S) decays collected by the Belle detector, researchers found no evidence for Ξ0p\Xi^0p, Ωp\Omega^-p, or Ωn\Omega^-n dibaryon states and established the first 90% confidence-level upper limits on their production branching fractions at the level of O(107)O(10^{-7})O(106)O(10^{-6}).

Belle, Belle II Collaborations, :, M. Abumusabh, I. Adachi, A. Aggarwal, Y. Ahn, H. Aihara, N. Akopov, S. Alghamdi, M. Alhakami, N. Althubiti, K. Amos, N. Anh Ky, H. Atmacan, V. Aushev, R. Ayad, V. B (…)2026-05-29⚛️ hep-ex

First Measurement of π+\pi^+-Ar and pp-Ar Total Inelastic Cross Sections in the Sub-GeV Energy Regime with ProtoDUNE-SP Data

Using data from the ProtoDUNE-SP detector at CERN, this paper reports the first measurements of the total inelastic cross sections for π+\pi^+-Ar and pp-Ar interactions in the sub-GeV energy regime, providing essential constraints for neutrino-argon interaction models critical to the upcoming DUNE experiment.

DUNE Collaboration, S. Abbaslu, F. Abd Alrahman, A. Abed Abud, R. Acciarri, L. P. Accorsi, M. A. Acero, M. R. Adames, G. Adamov, M. Adamowski, C. Adriano, F. Akbar, F. Alemanno, N. S. Alex, L. Aliaga (…)2026-05-28⚛️ nucl-ex

Thermal deuteron-deuteron fusion in metallic targets

This paper reports experimental observations of thermal deuteron-deuteron fusion in deuterated titanium and palladium targets, confirming a yield plateau at low beam energies that supports the thermal spike model and highlights the critical roles of enhanced diffusion, electron screening, and threshold resonance in enabling fusion rates with potential astrophysical and commercial applications.

Konrad Czerski, Rakesh Dubey, Gokul Haridas Das, Sreelakshmi Thulichery, Agata Kowalska, Natalia Targosz-Sleczka, Mathieu Valat2026-05-28⚛️ nucl-ex

Exploring small-angle emissions in charm quark jets in proton-proton collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 5.02 TeV

Using 2017 CMS data from proton-proton collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 5.02 TeV, this study measures the angular structure of charm-tagged jets and finds that small-angle emission suppression is consistent with the dead-cone effect in late-kTk_\mathrm{T} grooming, while similar suppression in soft-drop selections is attributed to large-angle gluon splitting into charm quark-antiquark pairs.

CMS Collaboration2026-05-27⚛️ nucl-ex

Resilience of the physicochemical properties of graphene-based materials for applications in harsh radiation environments

This study demonstrates that the structural and electrical resilience of graphene-based materials under 60 MeV 35Cl ion irradiation depends critically on their initial order, with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) suffering progressive degradation while multilayer reduced graphene oxide (ML-rGO) exhibits potential for radiation-induced structural reorganization and enhanced ordering.

Marcilei A. Guazzelli, Saulo G. Alberton, Nemitala Added, Vitor A. P. Aguiar, Koiti Araki, Luis H. Avanzi, Francesco Cappuzzello, Manuela Cavallaro, Eliane F. Chinaglia, Marcia T. Escote, Fabio F. Fer (…)2026-05-27🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci