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SciPost Physics Core

SciPost Physics Core Vol. 8 issue 3 (July - September 2025)

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Reconstructing hadronically decaying tau leptons with a jet foundation model

Laurits Tani, Joosep Pata, Joschka Birk

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 046 (2025) · published 4 July 2025 | · pdf

The limited availability and accuracy of simulated data has motivated the use of foundation models in high energy physics, with the idea to first train a task-agnostic model on large and potentially unlabeled datasets. This enables the subsequent fine-tuning of the learned representation for specific downstream tasks, potentially requiring much smaller datasets to achieve performance comparable to models trained from scratch on larger datasets. We study how OmniJet-$\alpha$, one of the proposed foundation models for particle jets, can be used on a new set of tasks, and on a new dataset, in order to reconstruct hadronically decaying $\tau$ leptons. We show that the pretraining can successfully be utilized for this multi-task problem, improving the resolution of momentum reconstruction by about $50\%$ when the pretrained weights are fine-tuned, compared to training the model from scratch. While much work remains ahead to develop generic foundation models for high-energy physics, this early result of generalizing an existing model to a new dataset and to previously unconsidered tasks highlights the importance of testing the approaches on a diverse set of datasets and tasks.
Identifying biases of the Majorana scattering invariant

Isidora Araya Day, Antonio L. R. Manesco, Michael Wimmer, Anton R. Akhmerov

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 047 (2025) · published 4 July 2025 | · pdf

The easily accessible experimental signatures of Majorana modes are ambiguous and only probe topology indirectly: for example, quasi-Majorana states mimic most properties of Majoranas. Establishing a correspondence between an experiment and a theoretical model known to be topological resolves this ambiguity. Here we demonstrate that already theoretically determining whether a finite system is topological is by itself ambiguous. In particular, we show that the scattering topological invariant—a probe of topology most closely related to transport signatures of Majoranas—has multiple biases in finite systems. For example, we identify that quasi-Majorana states also mimic the scattering invariant of Majorana zero modes in intermediate-sized systems. We expect that the bias due to finite size effects is universal, and advocate that the analysis of topology in finite systems should be accompanied by a comparison with the thermodynamic limit. Our results are directly relevant to the applications of the topological gap protocol.
On the complex structure of Yang-Mills theory

Jan Horak, Jan M. Pawlowski, Nicolas Wink

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 048 (2025) · published 7 July 2025 | · pdf

We consider the coupled set of spectral Dyson-Schwinger equations in Yang-Mills theory for ghost and gluon propagators. Within this set-up, we perform a systematic analytic evaluation of the constraints on generalised spectral representations in Yang-Mills theory that are most relevant for informed spectral reconstructions. Furthermore, we provide numerical results for the coupled set of ghost and gluon spectral functions for a range of potential mass gaps of the gluon, while allowing for small violations of the spectral representation. The analyses are accompanied by thorough discussion of the limitations and extensions of the present work.
Velocity gauge formulation of nonlinear optical response in Floquet quantum systems

S. Sajad Dabiri, Reza Asgari

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 049 (2025) · published 21 July 2025 | · pdf

Using the velocity gauge formalism, we develop a theoretical framework for computing the nonlinear optical responses of time-periodic quantum systems. This approach complements the length gauge formulation and offers distinct advantages in both numerical and analytical treatments, particularly for atomic and solid-state systems with well-defined momentum-space structures. By applying our framework to the Rabi model, we derive numerical solutions in the velocity gauge and compare them with the length gauge, demonstrating full agreement between the two formulations. Our findings reveal rich optical phenomena, including photon-assisted transitions, frequency mixing effects, and emergent Floquet-induced photocurrents that are absent in static systems. We demonstrate that nonlinear responses in Floquet-driven systems exhibit resonances at integer multiples of the driving frequency, providing insights into ultrafast spectroscopy and Floquet engineering of quantum materials. The present formulation establishes a bridge between theoretical models and experimental observations in driven quantum systems, with potential applications in quantum optics, photonics, and next-generation optoelectronic devices.
Ground state analysis of the spin-1/2 XX chain model with anisotropic three-spin interaction

Nima Mahboob, Saeed Mahdavifar, Fatemeh Khastehdel Fumani

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 050 (2025) · published 11 August 2025 | · pdf

In this paper, we investigate the ground state properties of the spin-1/2 XX chain model with anisotropic three-spin interaction using the fermionization technique. By exactly diagonalizing the Hamiltonian, we analyze the dispersion relation, ground state energy, and order parameters. Our findings identify two gapless phases, distinguished by a Lifshitz transition line: one exhibiting long-range chiral correlations and the other characterized by chiral-nematic correlations. These correlations do not correspond to conventional symmetry-breaking local order parameters typically associated with gapped one-dimensional phases but instead signify emergent quantum coherence in the gapless regime. Further, we study the ground state phase diagram through the concurrence and quantum discord between nearest-neighbor spins, finding that these measures are maximized at the critical line, with an additional entangled region observed. Finally, we examine the spin squeezing parameter and entanglement entropy, demonstrating that the ground state is squeezed throughout and becomes extremely squeezed at the critical line. Notably, in the gapless chiral-nematic phase, the Heisenberg limit is achieved. By dividing the system into two equal parts, we observe significant entanglement in the gapless chiral phase. The central charge calculation confirms the critical nature of the gapless chiral-nematic phase, while the entanglement entropy follows volume-law scaling in the gapless chiral phase.
A field theory representation of sum of powers of principal minors and physical applications

Morteza Nattagh Najafi, Abolfazl Ramezanpour, Mohammad Ali Rajabpour

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 051 (2025) · published 12 August 2025 | · pdf

We introduce a novel field theory representation for the Sum of Powers of Principal Minors (SPPM), a mathematical construct with profound implications in quantum mechanics and statistical physics. We begin by establishing a Berezin integral formulation of the SPPM problem, showcasing its versatility through various symmetries including $SU(n)$, its subgroups, and particle-hole symmetry. This representation not only facilitates new analytical approaches but also offers deeper insights into the symmetries of complex quantum systems. For instance, it enables the representation of the Hubbard model's partition function in terms of the SPPM problem. We further develop three mean field techniques to approximate SPPM, each providing unique perspectives and utilities: the first method focuses on the evolution of symmetries post-mean field approximation, the second, based on the bosonic representation, enhances our understanding of the stability of mean field results, and the third employs a variational approach to establish a lower bound for SPPM. These methods converge to identical consistency relations and values for SPPM, illustrating their robustness. The practical applications of our theoretical advancements are demonstrated through two compelling case studies. First, we exactly solve the SPPM problem for the Laplacian matrix of a chain, a symmetric tridiagonal matrix, allowing for precise benchmarking of mean-field theory results. Second, we present the first analytical calculation of the Shannon-Rényi entropy for the transverse field Ising chain, revealing critical insights into phase transitions and symmetry breaking in the ferromagnetic phase. This work not only bridges theoretical gaps in understanding principal minors within quantum systems but also sets the stage for future explorations in more complex quantum and statistical physics models.
A brief note on the G$_2$ Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki chain

Hosho Katsura, Dirk Schuricht

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 052 (2025) · published 15 August 2025 | · pdf

We consider the valence bond solid (VBS) state built of singlet pairs of fundamental representations and projected onto adjoint representations of the exceptional Lie group G$_2$. The two-point correlation function in the VBS state is non-vanishing only for nearest neighbours, but possesses finite string order. We construct a parent Hamiltonian for the VBS state, which constitutes the G$_2$ analog of the famous AKLT chain.
How to unfold top decays

Luigi Favaro, Roman Kogler, Alexander Paasch, Sofia Palacios Schweitzer, Tilman Plehn, Dennis Schwarz

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 053 (2025) · published 18 August 2025 | · pdf

Using unfolded top-quark decay data we can measure the top quark mass, as well as search for unexpected kinematic effects. We present a new generative unfolding method for the two tasks and show how they both benefit from unbinned, high-dimensional unfolding. Unlike weight-based or iterative generative methods we include a targeted unbiasing with respect to the training data. This shows significant advantages over standard, iterative methods, in terms of applicability, flexibility and accuracy.
Physics-informed neural networks viewpoint for solving the Dyson-Schwinger equations of quantum electrodynamics

Rodrigo Carmo Terin

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 054 (2025) · published 20 August 2025 | · pdf

Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) are employed to solve the Dyson-Schwinger equations of quantum electrodynamics (QED) in Euclidean space, with a focus on the non-perturbative generation of the fermion's dynamical mass function in the Landau gauge. By inserting the integral equation directly into the loss function, our PINN framework enables a single neural network to learn a continuous and differentiable representation of the mass function over a spectrum of momenta. Also, we benchmark our approach against a traditional numerical algorithm showing the main differences among them. Our novel strategy, which is expected to be extended to other quantum field theories, is the first step towards forefront applications of machine learning in high-level theoretical physics.
Can one hear the full nonlinearity of a PDE from its small excitations?

Maxim Olshanii, Danshyl Boodhoo

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 055 (2025) · published 25 August 2025 | · pdf

In this article, we show how one can restore an unknown nonlinear partial differential equation of a sine-Gordon type from its linearization around an unknown stationary kink. The key idea is to regard the ground state of the linear problem as the translation-related Goldstone mode of the nonlinear PDE sought after.
Muonium reaction in MgO: A showcase for the final steps of ion implantation

Rui C. Vilão, Ali Roonkiani, Apostolos G. Marinopoulos, Helena V. Alberto, João M. Gil, Ricardo B. L. Vieira, Robert Scheuermann, Alois Weidinger

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 056 (2025) · published 26 August 2025 | · pdf

We present an in-depth investigation of the implantation of positive muons in magnesium oxide (MgO). Muonium, the positive muon plus an electron is an analogue of the hydrogen atom. This study describes the final stage of the implantation process, from muon diffusion over the potential barrier and the stopping by an inelastic reaction to the final embedding of the muon into the lattice structure. A special aspect is a relatively long-lived intermediate configuration which lasts for several hundred nanoseconds or more and is accessible to muon spin spectroscopy. The model presented here provides a framework for the analysis of the general case of ion implantation.
Spin-$s$ $Q$-systems: Twist and open boundaries

Yi-Jun He, Jue Hou, Yi-Chao Liu, Zi-Xi Tan

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 057 (2025) · published 27 August 2025 | · pdf

In integrable spin chains, the spectral problem can be solved by the method of Bethe Ansatz, which transforms the problem of diagonalization of the Hamiltonian into the problem of solving a set of algebraic equations named Bethe equations. In this work, we systematically investigate the spin-$s$ XXX chain with twisted and open boundary conditions using the rational $Q$-system, which is a powerful tool to solve Bethe equations. We establish basic frameworks of the rational $Q$-system and confirm its completeness numerically in both cases. For twisted boundaries, we investigate the polynomiality conditions of the rational $Q$-system and derive physical conditions for singular solutions of Bethe equations. For open boundaries, we uncover novel phenomena such as hidden symmetries and boundary induced strings under specific boundary parameters. Hidden symmetries lead to the appearance of extra degeneracies in the Hilbert space, while the boundary induced string is a novel type of exact string configuration, whose length depends on the boundary magnetic fields. These findings, supported by both analytical and numerical evidences, offer new insights into the interplay between symmetries and boundary conditions.
Gauge theory for topological waves in continuum fluids with odd viscosity

Keisuke Fujii, Yuto Ashida

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 058 (2025) · published 28 August 2025 | · pdf

We consider two-dimensional continuum fluids with odd viscosity under a chiral body force. The chiral body force makes the low-energy excitation spectrum of the fluids gapped, and the odd viscosity allows us to introduce the first Chern number of each energy band in the fluids. Employing a mapping between hydrodynamic variables and U(1) gauge field strengths, we derive a U(1) gauge theory for topologically nontrivial waves. The resulting U(1) gauge theory is given by the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory with an additional term associated with odd viscosity. We then explicitly solve the equations of motion for the gauge fields in the presence of the boundary and find edge mode solutions. We finally confirm the bulk-boundary correspondence in the context of continuum systems.
Approach to the separatrix with eccentric orbits

Guillaume Lhost, Geoffrey Compère

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 059 (2025) · published 29 August 2025 | · pdf

Eccentric binary compact mergers are prime targets of current and future gravitational wave observatories. In the small mass ratio expansion, post-adiabatic inspirals have been modeled up to the separatrix, where first-principle modeling currently ends. In this paper, we derive the analytic late time solution to the adiabatic inspiral in terms of self-force coefficients at the separatrix. We identify the role of the Lambert $W_{-1}$ function as a key mathematical ingredient in the approach to the separatrix.
Advancing tools for simulation-based inference

Henning Bahl, Victor Bresó-Pla, Giovanni De Crescenzo, Tilman Plehn

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 060 (2025) · published 29 September 2025 | · pdf

We study the benefit of modern simulation-based inference to constrain particle interactions at the LHC. We explore ways to incorporate known physics structures into likelihood estimation, specifically morphing-aware estimation and derivative learning. Technically, we introduce a new and more efficient smearing algorithm, illustrate how uncertainties can be approximated through repulsive ensembles, and show how equivariant networks can improve likelihood estimation. After illustrating these aspects for a toy model, we target di-boson production at the LHC and find that our improvements significantly increase numerical control and stability.
Phonon thermal Hall as a lattice Aharonov-Bohm effect

Kamran Behnia

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 061 (2025) · published 29 September 2025 | · pdf

In a growing list of insulators, experiments find that magnetic field induces a misalignment between the heat flux and the thermal gradient vectors. This phenomenon, known as the phonon thermal Hall effect, implies energy flow without entropy production along the orientation perpendicular to the temperature gradient. The experimentally-measured thermal Hall angle in various insulators does not exceed a bound and becomes maximal at the temperature of peak longitudinal thermal conductivity. The present paper aims to propose a scenario providing and explanation for these two experimental facts. It begins by noticing that at this temperature, $T_{max}$, Normal phonon-phonon collisions become most frequent in comparison with Umklapp and boundary scattering events. Furthermore, the Born-Oppenheimer approximated molecular wave functions are known to acquire a phase in the presence of a magnetic field. In an anharmonic crystal, in which tensile and compressive strain do not cancel out, this field-induced atomic phase gives rise to a phonon Berry phase and generates phonon-phonon interference. The rough amplitude of the thermal Hall angle expected in this picture is set by the phonon wavelength, $\lambda_{ph}$, and the crest atomic displacement, $\delta u_m$ at $T_{max}$. The derived expression is surprisingly close to what has been experimentally found in black phosphorus, germanium and silicon.
Chiral edge states emerging on anyon-net

Atsushi Ueda, Kansei Inamura, Kantaro Ohmori

SciPost Phys. Core 8, 062 (2025) · published 30 September 2025 | · pdf

We propose a symmetry-based approach to constructing lattice models for chiral topological phases, focusing on non-Abelian anyons. Using a 2+1D version of anyon chains and modular tensor categories (MTCs), we ensure exact MTC symmetry at the microscopic level. Numerical simulations using tensor networks demonstrate chiral edge modes for topological phases with Ising and Fibonacci anyons. Our method contrasts with conventional solvability approaches, providing a new theoretical avenue to explore strongly coupled 2+1D systems, revealing chiral edge states in non-Abelian anyonic systems.