nucl-th papers | Gist.Science

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

Controlled Gate Networks: Theory and Application to Eigenvalue Estimation

This paper introduces controlled gate networks, a quantum circuit design strategy that significantly reduces the number of two-qubit gates required for linear combinations of unitary operators, and demonstrates its effectiveness in variational calculations, eigenvalue estimation via the rodeo algorithm, and lattice nucleon time evolution through both theoretical analysis and experimental implementation on real quantum hardware.

Max Bee-Lindgren, Zhengrong Qian, Matthew DeCross, Natalie C. Brown, Christopher N. Gilbreth, Jacob Watkins, Xilin Zhang (…)2026-04-21

🌀 nonlinear sciences

Phase transitions and finite-size effects in integrable virial statistical models

This paper presents an exactly solvable integrable statistical model for fluid systems that links finite-size virial expansions to nonlinear hydrodynamic PDEs, demonstrating how thermodynamic phase transitions emerge as shock waves in the infinite-particle limit and applying this framework to map the QCD phase diagram while quantifying how finite-size effects obscure critical signatures.

Xin An, Francesco Giglio, Giulio Landolfi2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear experiments

Accessing nucleon transversity with one-point energy correlators

This paper proposes using the one-point energy correlator (OPEC) in transversely polarized proton-proton collisions as a novel, infrared-and-collinear safe method to probe the nucleon's transversity distribution with a clean angular asymmetry over a wider kinematic range than traditional hadron transverse momentum measurements.

Mei-Sen Gao, Zhong-Bo Kang, Wanchen Li, Ding Yu Shao2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear experiments

The size of the quark-gluon plasma in ultracentral collisions: impact of initial density fluctuations on the average transverse momentum

This paper analytically demonstrates that the variation of the quark-gluon plasma volume in ultracentral collisions depends on initial density fluctuations and is negligible when total entropy scales with the mass number, thereby establishing that measurements of average transverse momentum can probe detailed nuclear structure and pre-equilibrium dynamics.

Fabian Zhou, Giuliano Giacalone, Jean-Yves Ollitrault2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear experiments

The Maximal Entanglement Limit in Statistical and High Energy Physics

This paper proposes that quantum entanglement serves as a unifying foundation for statistical and high-energy physics, arguing that systems naturally evolve toward a Maximal Entanglement Limit where thermalization and probabilistic behaviors emerge from the geometry of high-dimensional Hilbert spaces without requiring ergodicity or classical randomness.

Dmitri E. Kharzeev2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear theory

Boost-invariant perfect Fermi-Dirac spin hydrodynamics

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating Fermi-Dirac statistics into boost-invariant perfect spin hydrodynamics simulations for spin-1/2 particles, revealing that while the resulting corrections are an order of magnitude smaller than spin feedback effects, the approach requires careful handling as numerical solutions can break down under extreme spin polarization.

Zbigniew Drogosz, Natalia Łygan2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear theory

Questioning MAMI's recent determination of $B_{\Lambda}({_{\Lambda}^3}{\rm H})$

This paper challenges the recent MAMI collaboration's determination of the hypertriton binding energy by proposing that the observed sharp pion-momentum line instead originates from the weak decay of the ground state of hyperhelium-7 into lithium-7.

Avraham Gal2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear experiments

Constraining the trend of the $N = 50$ shell gap towards $^{100}$ Sn with the masses of $^{96-98}$ Cd

This paper presents precise mass measurements of neutron-deficient $^{96-98}$ Cd isotopes using ISOLTRAP at CERN to determine the $N=50$ shell gap at $Z=48$ and constrain the mass surface near $^{100}$ Sn, revealing an enhancement of the shell gap towards the doubly magic nucleus that challenges state-of-the-art theoretical models.

D. Lange, D. Atanasov, M. Au, A. Belley, M. Benhatchi, K. Blaum, R. B. Cakirli, P. F. Giesel, A. Herlert, J. D. Holt, B. (…)2026-04-21

⚛️ nuclear theory

Bulk viscosity from neutron decays to dark baryons in neutron star matter

This paper investigates how neutron decays into dark baryons affect bulk viscosity in neutron star mergers, finding that while the standard slow decay rate only slightly reduces viscosity, a faster decay rate could significantly enhance it and rapidly dampen merger oscillations.

Steven P. Harris, C. J. Horowitz2026-04-20

⚛️ nuclear theory

Gaussian fluctuating Generally covariant diffusion

This paper extends a previously developed generally covariant formalism to incorporate the diffusion of conserved charges, while clarifying the apparent distinction between chemical potential and diffusion terms.

David Montenegro, Giorgio Torrieri2026-04-20

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nucl-th

Controlled Gate Networks: Theory and Application to Eigenvalue Estimation

Phase transitions and finite-size effects in integrable virial statistical models

Accessing nucleon transversity with one-point energy correlators

The size of the quark-gluon plasma in ultracentral collisions: impact of initial density fluctuations on the average transverse momentum

The Maximal Entanglement Limit in Statistical and High Energy Physics

Boost-invariant perfect Fermi-Dirac spin hydrodynamics

Questioning MAMI's recent determination of BΛ(Λ3H)B_{\Lambda}({_{\Lambda}^3}{\rm H})BΛ​(Λ3​H)

Constraining the trend of the N=50N = 50N=50 shell gap towards 100^{100}100Sn with the masses of 96−98^{96-98}96−98Cd

Bulk viscosity from neutron decays to dark baryons in neutron star matter

Gaussian fluctuating Generally covariant diffusion

Questioning MAMI's recent determination of $B_{\Lambda}({_{\Lambda}^3}{\rm H})$

Constraining the trend of the $N = 50$ shell gap towards $^{100}$ Sn with the masses of $^{96-98}$ Cd