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mathematical physics

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Closeup photo of an automated two-wheeled robot on a wooden table
mathematical physics

A New Theory for Systems That Defy Newton’s Third Law

By Stephen Ornes
November 11, 2021
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In nonreciprocal systems, where Newton’s third law falls apart, “exceptional points” are helping researchers understand phase transitions and possibly other phenomena.

an animation showing wavelets at different scales travel across a space
applied math

How Wavelets Allow Researchers to Transform, and Understand, Data

By Alexander Hellemans
October 13, 2021
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Built upon the ubiquitous Fourier transform, the mathematical tools known as wavelets allow unprecedented analysis and understanding of continuous signals.

A GIF of ice melting in a glass of water
mathematical physics

Mathematicians Prove Melting Ice Stays Smooth

By Mordechai Rorvig
October 6, 2021
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After decades of effort, mathematicians now have a complete understanding of the complicated equations that model the motion of free boundaries, like the one between ice and water.

A pixelated black and white animation of a model of percolation.
mathematical physics

Mathematicians Prove Symmetry of Phase Transitions

By Allison Whitten
July 8, 2021
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A group of mathematicians has shown that at critical moments, a symmetry called rotational invariance is a universal property across many physical systems.

Math Meets QFT

Nathan Seiberg on How Math Might Complete the Ultimate Physics Theory

By Kevin Hartnett
June 24, 2021
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Even in an incomplete state, quantum field theory is the most successful physical theory ever discovered. Nathan Seiberg, one of its leading architects, talks about the gaps in QFT and how mathematicians could fill them.

Math Meets QFT

Mathematicians Prove 2D Version of Quantum Gravity Really Works

By Charlie Wood
June 17, 2021
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In three towering papers, a team of mathematicians has worked out the details of Liouville quantum field theory, a two-dimensional model of quantum gravity.

Math Meets QFT

The Mystery at the Heart of Physics That Only Math Can Solve

By Kevin Hartnett
June 10, 2021
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The accelerating effort to understand the mathematics of quantum field theory will have profound consequences for both math and physics.

A GIF showing increasingly more twists being added to the curves on a sphere.
geometry

Mathematicians Identify Threshold at Which Shapes Give Way

By Mordechai Rorvig
June 3, 2021
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A new proof establishes the boundary at which a shape becomes so corrugated, it can be crushed.

A looping image of two black holes orbiting one another, with the second one smaller than the first.
mathematical physics

New Black Hole Math Closes Cosmic Blind Spot

By Steve Nadis
May 13, 2021
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A mathematical shortcut for analyzing black hole collisions works even in cases where it shouldn’t. As astronomers use it to search for new classes of hidden black holes, others wonder: Why?


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