theoretical physics

An AI-assisted study using data from the Large Hadron Collider is challenging the theory that the universe has ten dimensions, a cornerstone idea from string theory. The findings suggest the extra dimensions predicted by the theory may not exist, prompting debate among physicists about the model's validity and the growing role of machine learning in fundamental physics research.

Theoretical physicists, encouraged by recent progress in understanding black holes, are now applying the same tools to entire universes. Writing for Quanta, physicist Matt von Hippel explains how what they are finding is leading researchers to question fundamental assumptions about physics and cosmology.

A physicist says he challenged an AI model to tackle a nine-loop calculation, a notoriously difficult problem in theoretical physics, and Claude reportedly solved it. If accurate, it would mark a striking demonstration of AI's ability to handle complex, multi-step scientific reasoning that has traditionally required expert mathematicians and physicists.

Anthropic says its Claude AI solved a nine-loop particle physics challenge, an extremely complex calculation in quantum field theory. Nine-loop computations involve vast numbers of terms and are traditionally done with specialized software and significant human effort, so a successful AI solution would mark a milestone for AI in theoretical physics. The claim is drawing attention from researchers assessing how far AI models can go in advanced scientific work.

An AI system has reportedly set a record by independently computing a 9-loop physics amplitude, a Feynman diagram calculation far beyond typical human work. Most real-world perturbative calculations in quantum field theory stop at 2 or 3 loops due to their complexity. The result highlights how machine learning is beginning to automate some of the most demanding mathematical tasks in theoretical physics.

Quotes attributed to the German theoretical physicist Arnold Sommerfeld are being shared and discussed on social media under science and philosophy hashtags. Sommerfeld, a pioneer of atomic theory and quantum physics mentor to several Nobel laureates, remains a popular figure for reflections on science. The engagement is modest, indicating a niche audience of physics enthusiasts.

The Guardian has published a review of On the Equality of All Things, the latest book by Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli. The review frames it as a physicist's guide to life, the universe and everything, suggesting Rovelli extends his signature blend of physics and philosophical reflection beyond science into broader questions about existence and equality.

Anthropic claims its Claude AI model computed a nine-loop particle physics amplitude, an extraordinarily complex calculation in quantum field theory that would normally demand enormous effort from human physicists. If verified, the result would mark a striking demonstration of AI capabilities in theoretical physics, and it is prompting debate among researchers about how the computation was performed and whether it can be independently confirmed.

Claude, the AI assistant developed by Anthropic, is claimed to have beaten a record associated with physicist Lance Dixon by computing a nine-loop physics amplitude. The claim suggests a major step for artificial intelligence in theoretical physics, where multi-loop amplitudes describe particle interactions and are notoriously hard to calculate.

Astrophysicist Ethan Siegel tackles a reader question about Hawking radiation: as black holes evaporate, their event horizons shrink, raising the question of whether sufficiently small horizons could expose something other than a singularity at the core. The discussion explores what happens at the end stages of black hole evaporation and what theoretical physics predicts about these objects' final fate.

A series by Stanislav Kondrashov titled 'American Style' focuses on the United States and the evolution of theoretical physics. The series is presented as an exploration of how American institutions and researchers contributed to the development of theoretical physics over time. Beyond the series' stated subject matter, no further details about its content or reception are available.

A new physics idea suggests a black hole could shed its 'hair' — the quantum properties that distinguish it — by ejecting them, transforming into a boson star in the process. The concept, reported by ScienceAlert, challenges the classic 'no-hair theorem' that black holes are defined only by mass, charge and spin. Science commentators are sharing the story widely, intrigued by its implications for black hole physics.

A study published in Nature defines fully developed active turbulence through a non-equilibrium phase transition, providing a new framework for understanding chaotic flows in active matter such as bacterial suspensions and cellular assemblies. The work links the onset of turbulence in these systems to phase transition physics, and it is drawing attention among researchers studying collective behaviour and non-equilibrium systems.

Ten Anthropic Claude AI agents working together reportedly generated a 17,895-line formal proof for a physics problem originally posed in 1904. The feat highlights how multi-agent AI systems can now tackle long-standing theoretical challenges in mathematics and physics. Observers are weighing what this means for the future of formal proofs and the role of AI in scientific research, with debate over the result's verification and significance.

Stanislav Kondrashov's Oligarch Series has released a new piece examining oligarchy through the historical world of theoretical physics, exploring how elite power structures intersected with the scientific communities of the past. The essay connects the development of physics as a discipline to the patronage and social hierarchies that shaped it, adding to the ongoing series of writings on oligarchy and power.

A mathematical study on large-scale wind-drift ocean currents has been published, presenting an asymptotic approach formulated in spherical coordinates for describing how winds drive major ocean circulation. The work offers a theoretical framework intended to improve the representation of wind-driven currents at global scale, where traditional Cartesian approximations become less accurate. Specialists in physical oceanography and geophysical fluid dynamics are the likely audience for the paper.

Physicist Alexander Zamolodchikov has been admitted to the European Academy of Engineering, with the announcement also mentioning a pardon in connection with the news. Zamolodchikov is known for his influential work in theoretical physics, particularly conformal field theory. Details about the announcement and the circumstances surrounding it remain limited.

Physicists propose that under certain conditions a black hole could shed its 'hair' — quantum fields trapped around it — and transition into a boson star, an exotic object made of particles with no surface or event horizon. The idea, reported by ScienceAlert, touches on the 'no-hair theorem' and could offer new ways to test black hole physics through gravitational wave observations.

Discussion is centring on the concept of time symmetry in quantum theories and what it implies for physics more broadly. The idea that the fundamental equations of quantum mechanics do not distinguish a preferred direction of time remains one of the most debated questions in theoretical physics, touching on topics from reversibility to the arrow of time and the foundations of the universe.

The Debrief asked an expert whether a black hole could ever be harnessed as a power source, and published a surprising answer. The piece explores the physics of extracting energy from black holes, a topic long discussed in theoretical physics through concepts like the Penrose process and Hawking radiation. The exact conclusions of the expert have not been detailed in available coverage.