physics.comp-ph papers | Gist.Science

Computational physics bridges the gap between abstract theory and real-world observation by using powerful computers to solve complex physical problems. This field allows scientists to simulate everything from the collision of subatomic particles to the swirling dynamics of galaxies, offering insights that traditional experiments alone cannot provide.

On Gist.Science, we continuously process every new preprint in this category from arXiv to make these breakthroughs accessible to everyone. Each entry is accompanied by both a clear, plain-language explanation and a detailed technical summary, ensuring that researchers and curious readers alike can grasp the significance of the latest findings without getting lost in dense equations.

Below are the latest papers in computational physics, curated to keep you at the forefront of this rapidly evolving discipline.

Kinetic Simulations of Laser-Driven Compression and Heating of Magnetised Cryogenic Hydrogen Targets using PIConGPU

This paper presents fully kinetic PIConGPU simulations demonstrating that laser-driven compression of magnetized cryogenic hydrogen targets produces a dominant non-thermal ion acceleration mechanism via charge-separation double layers, which remains robust under laboratory-scale magnetic fields but is significantly suppressed and altered by kilotesla-scale fields that magnetize hot electrons and extend compression times.

Filip Optołowicz, Klaus Steiniger, David Blaschke, Michael Bussmann, Brian Marre2026-05-18🔬 physics

Physically consistent predictive reduced-order modeling by enhancing Operator Inference with state constraints

This paper introduces a physically consistent predictive reduced-order modeling approach that enhances Operator Inference by embedding state constraints and optimizing regularization hyperparameters, thereby achieving superior stability and accuracy in extrapolating char combustion simulations beyond the training regime.

Hyeonghun Kim, Boris Kramer2026-05-15🔬 physics

A Monte Carlo positronium decay source model with multiple annihilation channels in GATE

This paper presents and validates a new, modular positronium decay model implemented in GATE 9.4 and 10 that enables realistic, multi-channel simulations of positronium behavior with arbitrary lifetimes and annihilation multiplicities, thereby supporting the development of advanced positronium-based imaging techniques.

Wojciech Krzemien, Mateusz Bala, Kamil Dulski, Wojciech Zdeb, Aurélien Coussat, Beatrix C. Hiesmayr, Konrad Klimaszewski, Michał Obara, Lech Raczyński, Roman Y. Shopa2026-05-15🔬 physics

Adaptive homotopy continuation for robust dispersion curve computation in viscoelastic waveguides: guaranteed branch identity continuity

This paper introduces an adaptive material homotopy continuation framework that guarantees branch identity continuity and enables robust, automated computation of dispersion curves in viscoelastic waveguides of arbitrary cross-section by mapping the non-Hermitian lossy problem to an auxiliary lossless one while effectively handling exceptional points and mode tracking challenges.

Dong Xiao, Zahra Sharif Khodaei, M. H. Aliabadi2026-05-15🔬 physics

Quantized tensor networks for solving the Vlasov-Maxwell equations

This paper introduces a quantum-inspired semi-implicit solver utilizing quantized tensor networks to efficiently solve the high-dimensional Vlasov-Maxwell equations, achieving significant computational cost reductions and relaxed time-step constraints while accurately capturing plasma physics with low-rank approximations.

Erika Ye, Nuno Loureiro2026-05-14⚛️ quant-ph

Ant Colony Optimization for Density Functionals in Strongly Correlated Systems

This paper demonstrates that adapting the Ant Colony Optimization algorithm to tune the FVC density functional significantly reduces the mean relative error in predicting ground-state energies for strongly correlated systems across various dimensionalities, achieving up to a 67% error reduction with low computational cost.

G. M. Tonin, T. Pauletti, R. M. Dos Santos, V. V. França2026-05-14🔬 cond-mat

Generalization of the viscous stress tensor to the case of non-small gradients of hydrodynamic velocity: a path to numerical modeling of turbulence non-locality

This paper generalizes the Chapman-Enskog method to derive an integral representation of the viscous stress tensor for large velocity gradients, enabling the numerical modeling of turbulence non-locality and phenomena like tangential discontinuities that standard Navier-Stokes formulations struggle to capture.

A. B. Kukushkin2026-05-14🔬 physics

Azimuthally polarized terahertz radiation generation using radially polarized laser pulse in magnetized plasma

This paper presents an analytical and simulation-based study demonstrating that a radially polarized laser pulse propagating through magnetized plasma generates coherent, azimuthally polarized terahertz radiation, with field amplitude scaling nonlinearly with plasma density and linearly with external magnetic field strength.

Shivani Aggarwal, Dinkar Mishra, Saumya Singh, Bhupesh Kumar, Pallavi Jha2026-05-14🔬 physics.optics

Parallel-in-Time Training of Recurrent Neural Networks for Dynamical Systems Reconstruction

This paper introduces GTF-DEER, a novel parallel-in-time training framework that overcomes the limitations of linear recurrence in State Space Models to enable stable and effective reconstruction of nonlinear dynamical systems from extremely long sequences, demonstrating that access to long trajectories significantly improves modeling accuracy for systems with long time scales.

Florian Hess, Florian Götz, Daniel Durstewitz2026-05-14🤖 cs.LG

Quantifying Multidimensional Transport Effects on Permeability Inference in FLiBe Systems Using a Validation-Informed Modeling Framework

This study employs a validation-informed, multi-dimensional modeling framework to demonstrate that relying on simplified one-dimensional interpretations of permeation experiments can lead to inaccurate inference of hydrogen isotope permeability in FLiBe systems due to significant multidomain transport effects and boundary condition sensitivities.

Huihua Yang, Abhishek Saraswat, Weiyue Zhou, Kevin Woller, James Dark, Chirag Khurana, Kaelyn Dunnell, Ethan Peterson, Remi Delaporte-Mathurin2026-05-14🔬 physics

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