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 experiments

Towards a microscopic description of 12C+12C fusion at stellar energies

This paper presents a fully microscopic multichannel Resonating Group Method description of the 12C+12C fusion reaction at stellar energies, which successfully reproduces experimental scattering data, reveals the mixed nature of 24Mg resonances, predicts fusion hindrance at low energies, and lays the groundwork for reliable theoretical extrapolations to deep stellar burning temperatures.

P. Descouvemont2026-02-27
⚛️ nuclear experiments

Understanding the impact of nuclear effects on proton decay searches with the GiBUU model

This study utilizes the GiBUU framework to demonstrate that while pion final-state interactions have a moderate impact on proton decay search sensitivity in water Cherenkov detectors, the choice of Fermi momentum distribution constitutes the dominant systematic uncertainty affecting atmospheric neutrino background estimates.

Qiyu Yan, Akira Takenaka, Kai Gallmeister, Xianguo Lu, Ulrich Mosel, Yangheng Zheng2026-02-27
⚛️ lattice

Universal and non-universal finite-volume effects in the vicinity of chiral phase transition in (2+1)-flavor QCD

This paper presents a finite-size scaling analysis of the chiral order parameter in (2+1)-flavor QCD using HISQ lattice data, demonstrating that infinite-volume extrapolated results align with expected O(2)O(2) scaling behavior while quantifying finite-size deviations to improve the precision of chiral phase transition temperature determinations.

Sabarnya Mitra, Jishnu Goswami, Frithjof Karsch2026-02-27
⚛️ nuclear theory

Unified study of Bs0→X(3872)π+π−(K+K−)B_s^0 \to X(3872) π^+π^- (K^+ K^-) and Bs0→ψ(2S)π+π−(K+K−)B_s^0 \to ψ(2S) π^+π^- (K^+ K^-) processes

This paper presents a unified theoretical description of experimental data for Bs0B_s^0 decays into X(3872)X(3872) and ψ(2S)\psi(2S) accompanied by pion or kaon pairs, utilizing unitary and analytic final-state interactions to reveal universal coupling patterns, a distinct non-charmonium nature for the X(3872)X(3872), and the significant role of the f0(1500)f_0(1500) resonance while predicting related branching fraction ratios and invariant mass distributions.

Yun-Hua Chen2026-02-26
⚛️ nuclear theory

Two-pion exchange nucleon-nucleon potentials with Roper resonance excitation

Motivated by recent work, this paper derives simple analytical spectral functions for two-pion exchange nucleon-nucleon potentials involving single and double Roper resonance excitation, as well as combined Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) and Roper excitation, and uses subtracted dispersion relations to obtain momentum-space potentials that incorporate regulator functions to control high-momentum components.

Norbert Kaiser2026-02-26
⚛️ nuclear theory

Isotope-Resolved Ba and Xe Yields in Actinide Fission and Correlated Heavy--Light Fragment Systematics

This paper presents a four-dimensional Langevin framework calculation of isotope-resolved Ba and Xe fission yields across various actinides, demonstrating successful reproduction of dominant neutron-number maxima while identifying a systematic tendency for the model to predict narrower distribution tails than observed in evaluated reference data.

K. Pomorski, A. Augustyn, T. Cap, Y. J. Chen, M. Kowal, B. Nerlo-Pomorska, M. Warda, Z. G. Xiao2026-02-26
⚛️ lattice

Trade-offs in Gauss's law error correction for lattice gauge theory quantum simulations

This paper reveals fundamental trade-offs in Gauss's law-based quantum error correction for 1+1D lattice QED, demonstrating that while it can reduce qubit overhead and offer lower single-round error rates, it imposes strict constraints on electric field configurations and ultimately leads to faster decoherence to mixed states compared to universal codes under repeated error correction cycles.

Balint Pato, Natalie Klco2026-02-26
⚛️ nuclear theory

Hadronic J/ψJ/ψ Regeneration in Pb+Pb Collisions

This study demonstrates that hadronic regeneration of J/ψJ/\psi mesons from DD-meson collisions during the hadronic break-up phase in Pb+Pb collisions significantly contributes to the final observed yields, implying that regeneration must be accounted for in models and making it difficult to distinguish between regeneration occurring at hadronization versus during final-state interactions.

Joseph Dominicus Lap, Berndt Müller2026-02-25