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

T-matrix analysis of pion-proton femtoscopy

This paper investigates the observed shift of the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) resonance peak in pion-proton femtoscopic correlations by applying a T-matrix approach within the Koonin-Pratt framework to reveal how the finite emission source induces off-shell dynamics, though the model's inability to fully reproduce experimental correlation strength and the absence of a predicted high-momentum dip suggest the need for more complex source descriptions beyond a simple spherical Gaussian approximation.

Liang Zhang, Tianhao Shao, Song Zhang, Kai-Jia Sun, Yu-Gang Ma2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear theory

Hierarchical Neural Filtering of Nuclear Mass Residuals and Spectral Signatures of Quantum Chaos

This paper introduces a Physics-Informed Neural Ensemble (PINE) model utilizing a Hierarchical Residual Decomposition framework to systematically filter chaotic many-body signatures from nuclear mass residuals, demonstrating that hierarchical neural learning can suppress quantum-chaotic spectral rigidity and drive deviations toward an uncorrelated white-noise limit.

Jaskirat Singh, Chong Qi2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear theory

Time Evolution of Heat Conduction in a Generalized Model of Brownian Motion

This paper presents a generalized Brownian motion model consistent with the GKSL equation to derive an analytical expression for steady-state heat flow that satisfies Fourier's law and captures thermal boundary resistance, while also revealing unique transient heat current behaviors and continuous, nowhere-differentiable trajectories that distinguish it from standard models.

T. Koide, F. Nicacio2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear theory

Nuclear matrix element of 2νββ2\nu\beta\beta decay of 76^{76}Ge: roles of high-lying states and two-body currents

This paper presents a microscopic analysis of the 2νββ2\nu\beta\beta decay of 76^{76}Ge, revealing that the nuclear matrix element converges at excitation energies below 5 MeV due to the cancellation of fragmented high-lying states and is further reduced by approximately 10% due to two-body current effects.

Hua-Yang Xu, Hao Zhou, Long-Jun Wang2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear theory

Systematic study of the half-lives of nuclear bound-state β\beta^- decay

This paper presents a systematic theoretical study using the microscopic projected shell model to calculate bound-state β\beta^- decay half-lives for hundreds of nuclei, identifying seven specific highly ionized candidates with significantly shortened half-lives that are promising targets for future storage-ring experiments and astrophysical modeling.

Jing-Wen Ran, Long-Jun Wang2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear experiments

Hyperon polarization in isobaric Zr+Zr collisions at sNN=200\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200 GeV: TRENRo3D + CLVisc with an initial longitudinal flow gradient

This paper presents a theoretical study using the TRENTo3D and CLVisc models with a novel initial longitudinal flow gradient to simultaneously describe STAR's global and azimuthal Λ\Lambda hyperon polarization measurements in isobaric Zr+Zr collisions, revealing that the azimuthal modulation Py,c2P_{y,\mathrm{c2}} is dominantly driven by shear effects while highlighting the challenges in achieving a unified description of all polarization observables.

Ze-Fang Jiang, Xiang Fan, Jing Jing2026-06-09
⚛️ nuclear theory

Five-flavor udscbˉudsc\bar{b} molecular pentaquarks from heavy-quark and local hidden gauge symmetries

This paper predicts the existence of ten narrow, isoscalar five-flavor (udscbˉudsc\bar{b}) molecular pentaquark states in the 7.72–7.96 GeV range, along with two additional deeply bound states, by applying local hidden gauge and heavy-quark symmetries to meson-baryon interactions, thereby extending previous hidden-charm studies to the bottom sector and offering specific targets for LHCb searches.

Ratirat Suntharawirat, Nongnaphat Ponkhuha, Daris Samart2026-06-09
⚛️ high-energy experiments

Global Ab initio Neutrino Mass Limits from Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay

This paper presents global Bayesian limits on Majorana neutrino masses by combining latest neutrinoless double-beta decay experimental data with ab initio nuclear matrix elements, revealing that current experiments likely lack the sensitivity to probe the neutrino mass regime allowed by oscillation data while demonstrating that next-generation searches across four key isotopes could collectively cover the inverted mass ordering.

T. Shickele, L. Jokiniemi, A. Belley, J. D. Holt2026-06-09