EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Tensions in Cosmology from Early to Late Universe: Part II: New Directions in the Light of Observations from the Most Modern Astronomical Facilities
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- Published on 29 October 2025
Guest Editors: Salvatore Capozziello, E. Di Valentino, Vahe G. Gurzadyan
The papers included in this Focus Point collection are devoted to the studies on the cosmological tensions and challenges stimulated by the latest observational data. The first results of the LARES-2 laser ranging satellite on the high precision testing of the frame-dragging effect predicted by General Relativity are presented. The data on the S-stars monitoring in the Galactic center obtained by GRAVITY collaboration were analysed within the Physics-informed neural network (PINN) approach. The results enabled to probe the role of the cosmological constant, of the dark matter, the star cluster in the core of the Galaxy obtaining an upper limit for the star density. The topics include the conversion of high-frequency relic gravitational waves into photons in cosmological magnetic field, cosmological gravitational waves stochastic background generation through the spontaneous breaking of a global baryon number symmetry, observational predictions of the Starobinsky inflation model and other studies.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 December 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Highlight - An interferometric approach to multi-parameter measurement
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- Published on 21 October 2025
Novel interferometer setup enables multiple parameters of an optical network to be measured simultaneously, with a precision limited only by the laws of quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics has vastly improved our ability to make precise measurements. By harnessing effects such as entanglement, squeezing and interference, researchers have surpassed the noise limits imposed on classical techniques – allowing for higher-resolution measurements of quantities including energy, time, and polarization. Over the past decade, it has become especially important for researchers to measure multiple physical parameters of a quantum system simultaneously. However, previous approaches have faced numerous challenges – including the constraints they impose on the values of unknown parameters.
Through new research published in EPJ Plus, an international team from the University of Bari, Italy, and the University of Portsmouth, UK, presents an interferometry-based quantum sensing scheme capable of simultaneously estimating multiple parameters of an optical network, with a sensitivity limited only by the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics. Their approach could help to improve the precision and scope of quantum measurements across applications ranging from biological imaging to gravitational wave detection.
EPJ Plus Highlight - Probing quantum weirdness using particle colliders
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- Published on 21 October 2025
An international collaboration of researchers presents a roadmap of future experiments at colliders like the LHC, investigating the nature of quantum correlations, such as entanglement and Bell nonlocality at ultra-high energies
So far, many of the most mind-bending properties of quantum mechanics have only been studied extensively in low-energy laboratory setups. Recently, however, researchers have begun to consider how these experiments could be carried out at higher energies – achievable through particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Offering energies some 12 orders of magnitude higher than lab setups, these instruments provide a novel environment where quantum phenomena can be probed experimentally.
Through a new paper published in EPJ Plus, an international collaboration of researchers presents a roadmap for these studies: identifying the challenges that need to be overcome, and setting out realistic goals for future research, which may be carried out in different scenarios at future generations of colliders. The team’s analysis could help guide efforts to deepen our understanding of the enigmatic nature of quantum mechanics.
EPJ Plus Highlight - A roadmap for radiobiology and cancer research at the Extreme Light Infrastructure
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- Published on 09 September 2025
Roadmap suggests how promising advances could be made through tightly focused and coordinated experiments at the Extreme Light Infrastructure’s facilities, combined with ongoing improvements to its instruments and infrastructure
The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is an international research organisation hosting the world’s largest collection of high-power lasers. With state-of-the-art facilities in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania, it specialises in producing radiation by accelerating tightly packed bunches of subatomic particles close to the speed of light, using ultrahigh-intensity laser pulses. Among ELI’s central goals is to provide leading researchers with open access to ultra-short pulses of radiation, which are playing an increasingly important role in radiobiology and cancer therapy.
In a new paper in EPJ Plus, a collaboration led by Daniele Margarone at the ELI Beamlines Facility present a detailed roadmap for future research at ELI. Their efforts could be crucial in validating the potential of its cutting-edge radiation sources and could pave the way for transformational advances in radiobiology and cancer therapy.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Advances in Analytical Techniques for Archaeological Potteries
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- Published on 02 September 2025
Guest Editors: Simona Raneri, Remy Chapoulie, Florence Liard and Mohammadamin Emami
The Focus Point "Advances in Analytical Techniques for Archaeological Potteries" collects a selection of peer-reviewed papers originally presented at the 16th European Conference on Ancient Ceramics (EMAC, Pisa, June 2023), an occasion to dicuss the latest advances in the scientific analysis of archaeological potteries.
This biennial event fosters dialogue between scholars in the humanities and in the natural sciences. It explores a wide range of topics in a global perspective, with studies on ancient ceramics from China to South America that approach questions of production, use, and post-depositional alteration. This thematic collection aims to present original research that highlights recent advances in analytical techniques for the study of archaeological ceramics, with particular emphasis on methodological innovations, novel approaches, and scientific advances in the development of analytical techniques and protocols.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 October 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Machine Learning for Materials Physics: From Pitfalls to Best Practices
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- Published on 02 September 2025
Guest Editors: Domenico Di Sante and Anirvan M. Sengupta
The fusion of machine learning (ML) and materials science is opening unprecedented opportunities in research and innovation. As traditional methods struggle to face the complexity of modern materials and their vast datasets, ML is intervening to accelerate discovery, optimize properties, and shed light on intricate phenomena.
In the Focus Point "Machine Learning for Materials Physics: From Pitfalls to Best Practices" six studies showcase how ML is permeating this field. From modeling quantum many-body systems to predicting new superconducting materials, these papers highlight how ML algorithms are driving efficiency, enhancing precision, and offering new possibilities. This Focus Point also addresses key challenges, such as interpretability and scalability, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between ML experts and materials scientists.
Dive into this special issue to explore the cutting-edge innovations reshaping materials science—and see how ML is revolutionizing our understanding of the physical world.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 October 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Higher Derivatives in Quantum Gravity: Theory, Tests, Phenomenology
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- Published on 29 August 2025
Guest Editors: Luca Buoninfante, Andrea Giusti, Aaron Held, Benjamin Knorr & Alessia Platania
Quantizing General Relativity using standard perturbative quantum field theory results in a perturbatively non-renormalizable theory. This has led to a variety of alternative approaches to quantum gravity, each based on different assumptions, ideas, and quantization techniques. A common feature in many of these approaches is the appearance of higher-derivative operators, alongside the Einstein-Hilbert action, which play a crucial role in classifying quantum-gravitational effects in an effective field theory fashion. This focus point issue brings together different perspectives on the role of higher derivatives in quantum gravity. It explores their theoretical role and implications in different approaches as well as their impact on phenomenology. The issue collects perspectives on how higher-derivative terms appear in quantum gravity theories and what insights they may offer into the fundamental nature of spacetime.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 October 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Highlight - Readying photoacoustic spectroscopy for studies of advanced nanostructures
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- Published on 22 August 2025
Innovations to the existing photoacoustic spectroscopy setup could make the technique far better suited to studying advanced, specially engineered nanostructures
When a material sample absorbs light, its resulting thermal expansion can generate an acoustic wave in the surrounding air. Named the photoacoustic effect, this phenomenon is now widely exploited in experimental physics to measure the wavelengths absorbed by materials via the sound waves they emit. This technique is called photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), and has now been applied across fields from gas sensing and biomedical imaging to observations of ultrafast reactions. So far, however, PAS has proven less reliable when studying photoacoustic responses in specially engineered nanostructures.
Through new research published in EPJ Plus, Emilija Petronijevic and colleagues at Sapienza University of Rome introduce several improvements to the PAS setup, making it better suited to measuring intricate nanoscale structures. Their innovations could lead to powerful new methods for measuring features like single and aggregated nanoparticles, ultra-thin films and metasurfaces, and nanowire assemblies – currently at the leading edge of experimental physics.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Accelerator-based Photon Science Strategy, Prospects and Roadmap in Europe
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- Published on 23 July 2025
Guest Editors: Rafael Abela, Thomas Tschentscher, Jean Susini, Gastón García
The League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources (LEAPS) is an alliance of all synchrotron and free electron laser user facilities in Europe. These facilities are an essential element of the scientific landscape in Europe and elsewhere, undergoing fast and profound changes of great relevance for the scientific community and with a substantial societal impact. This focus point issue features the current status and future scientific strategy of LEAPS. The collection includes papers about most of the LEAPS members, along with two specific papers on the LEAPS general strategy and the critical aspect of data.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 22 September 2025. For further information, read this highlight.
EPJ Plus Highlight - Hybrid algorithm uncovers robust scar states for quantum computing
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- Published on 14 July 2025
An algorithm that merges classical and quantum computing resources could help reveal robust quantum states hidden within chaotic, noisy systems
Since today’s quantum computing architectures are inherently noisy, they still struggle to generate large amounts of entanglement between qubits. One promising solution could be to target quantum scar states, which can emerge in complex, many-body systems. These states are unusually simple compared with their chaotic surroundings, and they may offer a more robust way to store quantum information – making them especially attractive for building stable quantum logic gates.
Through new research published in EPJ Plus, an international team led by Gabriele Cenedese at the University of Insubria, Italy, demonstrates how the limited entanglement in noisy quantum computers could be transformed into an advantage, making it easier to identify scar states within chaotic quantum systems. Involving a specialised hybrid algorithm, the team’s approach could help pave the way toward more scalable quantum architectures – reducing the need for complex and costly error-correction techniques.
