⚛️ Category

nucl-th

1422 papers

Nuclear theory sits at the fascinating intersection of particle physics and the forces that hold our universe together. This field explores how protons and neutrons bind inside atomic nuclei, seeking to understand the fundamental interactions that govern matter at its most dense and energetic levels. While the mathematics involved can be incredibly complex, the core questions are deeply human: how does the universe function at its smallest scales, and what happens when we push matter to its limits?

At Gist.Science, we make these cutting-edge discoveries accessible by processing every new preprint published in this category on arXiv. Our team transforms dense academic manuscripts into clear, plain-language summaries alongside detailed technical overviews, ensuring that both experts and curious readers can grasp the latest breakthroughs without getting lost in the jargon. Below are the latest papers in nuclear theory, distilled and ready for you to explore.

⚛️ nuclear theory

Initial-state geometry and multiplicity distributions in pp and pPb collisions

This study utilizes Monte Carlo simulations based on the Color Glass Condensate formalism to demonstrate that multiplicity distributions in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions can distinguish between different initial-state proton geometries, specifically testing the three-quark Y-shape baryon junction model, while highlighting the critical importance of accounting for intrinsic saturation scale fluctuations.

R. Terra, A. V. Giannini, F. S. Navarra2026-04-01
⚛️ nuclear theory

NJL-Chiral Soliton and the Nucleon Equation of State at supra-saturation density: Impact of Chiral Symmetry Restoration

This paper proposes a method to construct the equation of state for supra-saturation density nuclear matter by modeling nucleons as topological solitons within a bosonized Nambu-Jona-Lasinio framework, demonstrating that the dynamical restoration of chiral symmetry leads to a stiffened equation of state compatible with neutron star observations.

Bikram Keshari Pradhan, Guy Chanfray, Hubert Hansen, Jérôme Margueron2026-04-01
⚛️ lattice

Medium separation scheme effects on the magnetized and cold two-flavor superconducting quark matter

This study demonstrates that applying the Medium Separation Scheme (MSS) alongside Magnetic Field Independent Regularization (MFIR) to the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model of magnetized two-flavor color superconducting quark matter eliminates unphysical oscillations and ensures positive magnetization, thereby correcting artifacts found in traditional approaches that fail to properly separate medium effects from vacuum contributions.

Francisco X. Azeredo, Dyana C. Duarte, Ricardo L. S. Farias2026-04-01
⚛️ lattice

Quark-Mass Dependence of Light-Nuclei Masses from Lattice QCD and Trace-Anomaly Contributions to Nuclear Bindings

This paper presents lattice QCD calculations of light-nuclei masses across various quark masses to establish first-principles constraints on nuclear interactions and reveals that, while quark-mass contributions to binding energy are small and additive, the dominant contribution arises from the gluonic component via the QCD trace anomaly.

Debsubhra Chakraborty, Noah Chavez, Xiang Gao, Nilmani Mathur, Swagato Mukherjee2026-04-01
⚛️ nuclear theory

Ab initio optical potentials for magnesium isotopes: from stability to the island of inversion

This paper presents the first *ab initio* nonlocal optical potential calculations for magnesium isotopes (24,26,28,32^{24,26,28,32}Mg) using the symmetry-adapted no-core shell model and multiple-scattering theory, successfully reproducing experimental data for 24^{24}Mg and providing parameter-free predictions for heavier isotopes that validate global models near the N=20 island of inversion while highlighting their limitations.

G. H. Sargsyan, J. I. Fuentealba Bustamente, K. Beyer, Ch. Elster2026-04-01
⚛️ nuclear theory

Multi-task deep neural network for predicting both nuclear fission yields and their experimental errors in peak-shaped data

This paper introduces a multi-task deep neural network equipped with a novel loss function and odd-even effect incorporation to more accurately predict both nuclear fission product yields and their experimental errors in peak-shaped data compared to conventional independent learning methods.

Maomi Ueno, Enbo Zhang, Kazuma Fuchimoto, Satoshi Chiba, Jingde Chen, Chikako Ishizuka2026-04-01
⚛️ nuclear experiments

Comment on "Lattice QCD constraints on the critical point from an improved precision equation of state"

This paper critiques a recent lattice QCD study that claims to exclude a QCD critical endpoint below μB≈450\mu_B \approx 450 MeV, arguing that the entropy-contour method used fails to directly probe critical singularities and therefore cannot provide model-independent constraints on the critical point's location.

Roy A. Lacey (Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA)2026-04-01