Graph states entangle many photons in a special structure that is useful for several quantum protocols. Making graph states is often probabilistic and inefficient, but now a deterministic approach using superconducting qubits has been demonstrated.

The continuous energy injection in active fluids leads to active turbulence. Now, geometric and mechanical analyses reveal a phase transition that leads to fully developed active turbulence.

The trajectories of embedded particles provide a route for probing fluid flow dynamics. An X-ray scatter microscopy approach that enables precise monitoring of non-sphericalnanoparticles now reveals multiscale dynamics in complex fluids.

Wave propagation in irregular cavities made from conventional isotropic media is typically chaotic. Now odd-shaped cavities made from hyperbolic metamaterials are shown to suppress chaotic wave dynamics and produce stable geometric wave patterns.

Lattice gauge theories are difficult to study using classical computational methods. A dynamic quantum simulation of a lattice gauge theory on a two-site loop has now been demonstrated using a hybrid qubit–oscillator trapped-ion quantum computer.

Decoherence and decay of quantum systems arise from interactions with their environment that can be highly complex. Despite this complexity, bounds on the decay rate are found that are asymptotically tight in several important cases.

As the term ‘digital twin’ spreads across science and technology, it risks losing scientific meaning. Such a twin should not denote just a digital replica, but a computational model that can be updated, tested against intervention and shown to fail.

Reference materials bring metrological confidence to forensics, biopharmaceuticals and human health measurement challenges, explains Steven Choquette.

The sensitivity of moiré materials to crystal quality and twist angle can make experimental results difficult to replicate. Reproducibility should therefore be built into material growth, device fabrication and experimental design from the outset.