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Combining asymptotically safe quantum gravity with a tensor field theory, we exhibit the first example of a theory with gravity and scalar fields in four dimensions which may realize asymptotic safety at a non-vanishing value of the scalar quartic coupling. We first present (further) evidence that in the asymptotic-safety paradigm, quantum fluctuations of gravity generically screen the quartic couplings in (multi-)scalar models. For a tensor field theory in which the scalar field transforms under an internal $O(N)^3$ symmetry, this has the effect of replacing asymptotic freedom, recently discovered at large $N$ on a fixed flat background, by an interacting fixed point in the presence of quantum gravity. The fixed point originates from the competition between the effects of the matter self-interactions which, contrary to the usual scalar models, are antiscreening, and the screening gravitational effects.

Neural implicit k-space representations (NIK) have shown promising results for dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high temporal resolutions. Yet, reducing acquisition time, and thereby available training data, results in severe performance drops due to overfitting. To address this, we introduce a novel self-supervised k-space loss function $\mathcal{L}_\mathrm{PISCO}$, applicable for regularization of NIK-based reconstructions. The proposed loss function is based on the concept of parallel imaging-inspired self-consistency (PISCO), enforcing a consistent global k-space neighborhood relationship without requiring additional data. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations on static and dynamic MR reconstructions show that integrating PISCO significantly improves NIK representations. Particularly for high acceleration factors (R$\geq$54), NIK with PISCO achieves superior spatio-temporal reconstruction quality compared to state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, an extensive analysis of the loss assumptions and stability shows PISCO's potential as versatile self-supervised k-space loss function for further applications and architectures. Code is available at: https://github.com/compai-lab/2025-pisco-spieker

The study of regular black holes and black hole mimickers as alternatives to standard black holes has recently gained significant attention, driven both by the need to extend general relativity to describe black hole interiors, and by recent advances in observational technologies. Despite considerable progress in this field, significant challenges remain in identifying and characterizing physically well-motivated classes of regular black holes and black hole mimickers. This report provides an overview of these challenges, and outlines some of the promising research directions -- as discussed during a week-long focus programme held at the Institute for Fundamental Physics of the Universe (IFPU) in Trieste from November 11th to 15th, 2024., Comment: 39 pages, 3 figures

Purpose: Reliable image quality assessment is crucial for evaluating new motion correction methods for magnetic resonance imaging. In this work, we compare the performance of commonly used reference-based and reference-free image quality metrics on a unique dataset with real motion artifacts. We further analyze the image quality metrics' robustness to typical pre-processing techniques. Methods: We compared five reference-based and five reference-free image quality metrics on data acquired with and without intentional motion (2D and 3D sequences). The metrics were recalculated seven times with varying pre-processing steps. The anonymized images were rated by radiologists and radiographers on a 1-5 Likert scale. Spearman correlation coefficients were computed to assess the relationship between image quality metrics and observer scores. Results: All reference-based image quality metrics showed strong correlation with observer assessments, with minor performance variations across sequences. Among reference-free metrics, Average Edge Strength offers the most promising results, as it consistently displayed stronger correlations across all sequences compared to the other reference-free metrics. Overall, the strongest correlation was achieved with percentile normalization and restricting the metric values to the skull-stripped brain region. In contrast, correlations were weaker when not applying any brain mask and using min-max or no normalization. Conclusion: Reference-based metrics reliably correlate with radiological evaluation across different sequences and datasets. Pre-processing steps, particularly normalization and brain masking, significantly influence the correlation values. Future research should focus on refining pre-processing techniques and exploring machine learning approaches for automated image quality evaluation.

To deepen our understanding of Quantum Gravity and its connections with black holes and cosmology, building a common language and exchanging ideas across different approaches is crucial. The Nordita Program "Quantum Gravity: from gravitational effective field theories to ultraviolet complete approaches" created a platform for extensive discussions, aimed at pinpointing both common grounds and sources of disagreements, with the hope of generating ideas and driving progress in the field. This contribution summarizes the twelve topical discussions held during the program and collects individual thoughts of speakers and panelists on the future of the field in light of these discussions., Comment: Collection of summaries of twelve topical panel discussions and individual thoughts of speakers and panelists, Nordita Scientific Program "Quantum Gravity: from gravitational EFTs to UV complete approaches". 62 pages + references, no figures

Europium-doped nanocrystals constitute a promising material for a scalable future quantum computing platform. Long-lived nuclear spin states could serve as qubits addressed via coherent optical transitions. In order to realize an efficient spin-photon interface, we couple the emission from a single nanoparticle to a fiber-based microcavity under cryogenic conditions. The spatial and spectral tunability of the cavity permits us to place individual nanoparticles in the cavity, to measure the inhomogeneous linewidth of the ions, and to show a multi-modal Purcell-enhancement of two transition in Eu$^{\text{3+}}$. A halving of the free-space lifetime to 1.0 ms is observed, corresponding to a 140-fold enhancement of the respective transition. Furthermore, we observe a narrow optical linewidth of 3.3 MHz for a few-ion ensemble in the center of the inhomogeneous line. The results represent an important step towards the efficient readout of single Eu$^{\text{3+}}$ ions, a key requirement for the realization of single-ion-level quantum processing nodes in the solid state., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 table

The gravitational physics landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by our ability to study strong-field regions, in particular black holes. Black Holes Inside and Out gathered world experts to discuss the status of the field and prospects ahead. We hope that the ideas and perspectives are a source of inspiration. Structure: Black Hole Evaporation - 50 Years by William Unruh The Stability Problem for Extremal Black Holes by Mihalis Dafermos The Entropy of Black Holes by Robert M. Wald The Non-linear Regime of Gravity by Luis Lehner Black Holes Galore in D > 4 by Roberto Emparan Same as Ever: Looking for (In)variants in the Black Holes Landscape by Carlos A. R. Herdeiro Black Holes, Cauchy Horizons, and Mass Inflation by Matt Visser The Backreaction Problem for Black Holes in Semiclassical Gravity by Adrian del Rio Black Holes Beyond General Relativity by Enrico Barausse and Jutta Kunz Black Holes as Laboratories: Searching for Ultralight Fields by Richard Brito Primordial Black Holes from Inflation by Misao Sasaki Tests of General Relativity with Future Detectors by Emanuele Berti Black Holes as Laboratories: Tests of General Relativity by Ruth Gregory and Samaya Nissanke Simulating Black Hole Imposters by Frans Pretorius Black Hole Spectroscopy: Status Report by Gregorio Carullo VLBI as a Precision Strong Gravity Instrument by Paul Tiede Testing the nature of compact objects and the black hole paradigm by Mariafelicia De Laurentis and Paolo Pani Some Thoughts about Black Holes in Asymptotic Safety by Alessia Platania Black Hole Evaporation in Loop Quantum Gravity by Abhay Ashtekar How the Black Hole Puzzles are Resolved in String Theory by Samir D. Mathur Quantum Black Holes: From Regularization to Information Paradoxes by Niayesh Afshordi and Stefano Liberati, Comment: 221 pages, 21 contributions

Combining a precise sputter etching method with subsequent AlO$_x$ growth within an atomic layer deposition chamber enables fabrication of atomically flat lateral patterns of SiO$_2$ and AlO$_x$. The transfer of MoSe$_2$ monolayers onto these dielectrically modulated substrates results in formation of lateral heterojunctions, with the flat substrate topography leading to minimal strain across the junction. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements show significant variations in the contact potential difference (CPD) across the interface, with AlO$_x$ regions inducing a 230~mV increase in CPD. Spatially resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals shifts in spectral weight of neutral and charged exciton species across the different dielectric regions. On the AlO$_x$ side, the Fermi energy moves closer to the conduction band, leading to a higher trion-to-exciton ratio, indicating a bandgap shift consistent with CPD changes. In addition, transient reflection spectroscopy highlights the influence of the dielectric environment on carrier dynamics, with the SiO$_2$ side exhibiting rapid carrier decay typical of neutral exciton recombination. In contrast, the AlO$_x$ side shows slower, mixed decay behavior consistent with conversion of trions back into excitons. These results demonstrate how dielectric substrate engineering can tune the electronic and optical characteristics of proximal two-dimensional materials, allowing scalable fabrication of advanced junctions for novel (opto)electronics applications., Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures. SI: 2 pages, 3 figures. We welcome your feedback!

The SMEFT provides a general framework to search for new physics beyond the current reach of direct detection. One such form of new physics is quantum gravity. Based on dimensional analysis, one would expect the prediction that the quantum-gravity contribution to the SMEFT coefficients is unmeasurably tiny at LHC scales. In this paper, we test this expectation in a specific framework for quantum gravity, namely the asymptotic safety framework. In this framework, Wilson coefficients can be calculated in relatively straightforward manner, making a connection between quantum gravity and LHC tests of the SMEFT achievable. We work in a toy model of the Standard Model fermion sector to investigate four-fermion couplings. We find three scenarios in this toy model, based on three distinct fixed points of the Renormalization Group flow. In the first scenario, the expectation from dimensional analysis is borne out and Wilson coefficients are Planck-scale suppressed. In the second and third scenarios, the Wilson coefficients are significantly larger than expected by dimensional analysis, due to interacting fixed points which generate an effective new-physics scale that lies between the LHC scale and the Planck scale. We comment on the implications of these results for the testability of asymptotically safe gravity within the SMEFT framework at the LHC., Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures; comments welcome

The no-global-symmetries conjecture is central to the swampland program that delineates the boundary between effective field theories that can be obtained from a quantum theory of gravity to those that cannot. The conjecture states that virtual black-hole configurations in the path integral generate terms that violate all global symmetries in the effective action for matter. Because of its central role, it is crucial to understand limitations to the validity of this conjecture. In the context of the Lorentzian path integral over spacetime geometries, we explore whether virtual black-hole configurations can be suppressed dynamically. To that end, we work in a spherically symmetric setting and make use of horizon-detecting curvature invariants which vanish on the horizon. By constructing a non-local gravitational action from the inverse of such curvature invariants, we can achieve destructive interference of black-hole configurations in the path integral. Given that non-local gravitational actions appear generically as the result of integrating out matter degrees of freedom from a theory for quantum gravity and matter, our exemplary construction reinforces discussions about the role of non-locality in assessing arguably universal properties of quantum gravity within the framework of path integrals., Comment: v3: 14 pages; equations (3) and (6) of v1 corrected; published version

New physics beyond General Relativity impacts black-hole spacetimes. The effects of new physics can be investigated in a largely theory-agnostic way by following the principled-parameterized approach. In this approach, a classical black-hole metric is upgraded by following a set of principles, such as regularity, i.e., the absence of curvature singularities. We expect these principles to hold in many theories beyond General Relativity. In the present paper, we implement this approach for time-dependent spacetimes describing gravitational collapse. We find that the Vaidya spacetime becomes regular through the same modification of the spacetime metric as stationary black-hole spacetimes [1-3]. We investigate null geodesics and find indications that the modification is even sufficient to render null geodesics future complete. Finally, we find that the modification of the spacetime structure results in violations of the null energy condition in a finite region inside the apparent horizon of the black hole that forms. Null geodesics are attracted to the boundary of this region, such that the new-physics effects are shielded from asymptotic observers. An exception occurs, if the classical spacetime has a naked singularity. Then, the upgraded spacetime is singularity-free and null geodesics from the regular core can escape towards asymptotic observers., Comment: v1: 37 pages with appendix and references, 13 figures, comments welcome

In the era of Big Data and the growing support for Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence algorithms in the current software systems, there is an urgent need of standardized application benchmarks that stress test and evaluate these new technologies. Relying on the standardized BigBench (TPCx-BB) benchmark, this work enriches the improved BigBench V2 with three new workloads and expands the coverage of machine learning algorithms. Our workloads utilize multiple algorithms and compare different implementations for the same algorithm across several popular libraries like MLlib, SystemML, Scikit-learn and Pandas, demonstrating the relevance and usability of our benchmark extension.

The ``Swampland Program'' aims to discriminate consistent-looking effective field theories that do not admit a UV completion in quantum gravity from those that do. While most often developed under the umbrella of string theory, several swampland criteria have been explored also in other contexts, especially asymptotically safe gravity. A comparison between different approaches can help to clarify the dependence of low-energy constraints on UV physics and thereby shed light on the universality of quantum gravity itself. In this short review we summarise what is known about three important swampland conjectures in string theory and in asymptotic safety. We point out future lines of research that can help to understand to what extent swampland conjectures are absolute, i.e. hold in quantum gravity in general, or relative, i.e. belong only to a specific UV framework., Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, v2: references added

The advent of quantum algorithms has initiated a discourse on the potential for quantum speedups for optimization problems. However, several factors still hinder a practical realization of the potential benefits. These include the lack of advanced, error-free quantum hardware, the absence of accessible software stacks for seamless integration and interaction, and the lack of methods that allow us to leverage the theoretical advantages to real-world use cases. This paper works towards the creation of an accessible hybrid software stack for solving optimization problems, aiming to create a fundamental platform that can utilize quantum technologies to enhance the solving process. We introduce a novel approach that we call Hybrid Meta-Solving, which combines classical and quantum optimization techniques to create customizable and extensible hybrid solvers. We decompose mathematical problems into multiple sub-problems that can be solved by classical or quantum solvers, and propose techniques to semi-automatically build the best solver for a given problem. Implemented in our ProvideQ toolbox prototype, Meta-Solving provides interactive workflows for accessing quantum computing capabilities. Our evaluation demonstrates the applicability of Meta-Solving in industrial use cases. It shows that we can reuse state-of-the-art classical algorithms and extend them with quantum computing techniques. Our approach is designed to be at least as efficient as state-of-the-art classical techniques, while having the potential to outperform them if future advances in the quantum domain are made., Comment: Submitted to the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE)

Horizons and bound photon orbits are defining features of black holes that translate into key features of black hole images. We present a purely geometric proof that spherically symmetric, isolated objects with horizons in gravity theories with null-geodesic propagation of light must display bound photon orbits forming a photon sphere. Identifying the key elements of the proof, we articulate a simpler argument that carries over to more general situations with modified light propagation and implies the existence of equatorial spherical photon orbits in axisymmetric spacetimes with reflection symmetry. We conclude that the \emph{non-}observation of photon rings with very-large-baseline interferometry would be a very strong indication against a horizon, irrespective of whether or not the image shows a central brightness depression., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, Honorable Mention in the Gravity Research Foundation 2024 Awards for Essays on Gravitation

Positivity bounds are bounds on the Wilson coefficients of an effective field theory. They hold, if the ultraviolet completion satisfies unitarity, microcausality, locality and Lorentz symmetry; accordingly their violation signals a violation of at least one of these properties of the ultraviolet completion. We explore whether positivity bounds on four-photon-couplings hold, when the ultraviolet completion is an asymptotically safe gravity-photon theory. By working at sixth order in an expansion in the electromagnetic field strength, we discover indications that positivity bounds hold for effective field theories that are UV completed by the asymptotically safe Reuter fixed point. We also perform various tests of the robustness of our result. This amounts to a nontrivial and critical indication of the physical viability of asymptotically safe gravity., Comment: 5 pages plus supplementary material; 2 figures plus 6 figures in supplementary material

Variance reduction for causal inference in the presence of network interference is often achieved through either outcome modeling, which is typically analyzed under unit-randomized Bernoulli designs, or clustered experimental designs, which are typically analyzed without strong parametric assumptions. In this work, we study the intersection of these two approaches and consider the problem of estimation in low-order outcome models using data from a general experimental design. Our contributions are threefold. First, we present an estimator of the total treatment effect (also called the global average treatment effect) in a low-degree outcome model when the data are collected under general experimental designs, generalizing previous results for Bernoulli designs. We refer to this estimator as the pseudoinverse estimator and give bounds on its bias and variance in terms of properties of the experimental design. Second, we evaluate these bounds for the case of cluster randomized designs with both Bernoulli and complete randomization. For clustered Bernoulli randomization, we find that our estimator is always unbiased and that its variance scales like the smaller of the variance obtained from a low-order assumption and the variance obtained from cluster randomization, showing that combining these variance reduction strategies is preferable to using either individually. For clustered complete randomization, we find a notable bias-variance trade-off mediated by specific features of the clustering. Third, when choosing a clustered experimental design, our bounds can be used to select a clustering from a set of candidate clusterings. Across a range of graphs and clustering algorithms, we show that our method consistently selects clusterings that perform well on a range of response models, suggesting that our bounds are useful to practitioners.

Estimating causal effects under interference is pertinent to many real-world settings. Recent work with low-order potential outcomes models uses a rollout design to obtain unbiased estimators that require no interference network information. However, the required extrapolation can lead to prohibitively high variance. To address this, we propose a two-stage experiment that selects a sub-population in the first stage and restricts treatment rollout to this sub-population in the second stage. We explore the role of clustering in the first stage by analyzing the bias and variance of a polynomial interpolation-style estimator under this experimental design. Bias increases with the number of edges cut in the clustering of the interference network, but variance depends on qualities of the clustering that relate to homophily and covariate balance. There is a tension between clustering objectives that minimize the number of cut edges versus those that maximize covariate balance across clusters. Through simulations, we explore a bias-variance trade-off and compare the performance of the estimator under different clustering strategies., Comment: 35 pages, 5 Tables, 14 figures

Neural implicit k-space representations have shown promising results for dynamic MRI at high temporal resolutions. Yet, their exclusive training in k-space limits the application of common image regularization methods to improve the final reconstruction. In this work, we introduce the concept of parallel imaging-inspired self-consistency (PISCO), which we incorporate as novel self-supervised k-space regularization enforcing a consistent neighborhood relationship. At no additional data cost, the proposed regularization significantly improves neural implicit k-space reconstructions on simulated data. Abdominal in-vivo reconstructions using PISCO result in enhanced spatio-temporal image quality compared to state-of-the-art methods. Code is available at https://github.com/vjspi/PISCO-NIK., Comment: Under Review

In this work, we explore the properties and shadows of spin-induced scalarized black holes, as well as investigate how a Ricci coupling influences them. Our findings reveal significant deviations from the Kerr metric in terms of the location and geodesic frequencies of the innermost stable circular orbit and light ring, with the former exhibiting more pronounced disparities. The shadows of scalarized black holes exhibit relatively minor deviations when compared to those of Kerr black holes with the same mass and spin. Overall, the presence of a Ricci coupling is observed to mitigate deviations from the Kerr metric., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures

We propose PHIMO, a physics-informed learning-based motion correction method tailored to quantitative MRI. PHIMO leverages information from the signal evolution to exclude motion-corrupted k-space lines from a data-consistent reconstruction. We demonstrate the potential of PHIMO for the application of T2* quantification from gradient echo MRI, which is particularly sensitive to motion due to its sensitivity to magnetic field inhomogeneities. A state-of-the-art technique for motion correction requires redundant acquisition of the k-space center, prolonging the acquisition. We show that PHIMO can detect and exclude intra-scan motion events and, thus, correct for severe motion artifacts. PHIMO approaches the performance of the state-of-the-art motion correction method, while substantially reducing the acquisition time by over 40%, facilitating clinical applicability. Our code is available at https://github.com/HannahEichhorn/PHIMO., Comment: Accepted at MICCAI 2024

Single photon detection and timing gathered increasing interest in the last few years due to both its necessity in the field of quantum sensing and the advantages of single quanta detection in the field of low level light imaging. While simple bucket detectors are mature enough for commercial applications, more complex imaging detectors are still a field of research with mostly prototype level detectors. A major problem in these detectors is the implementation of in-pixel timing circuitry, especially for two-dimensional imagers. One of the most promising approaches is the use of voltage controlled ring resonators in every pixel. Each of those is running independently, based on a voltage supplied by a global reference. However, this yields the problem that across the chip the supply voltage can change, which in turn changes the period of the ring resonator. Due to additional parasitic effects, this problem can worsen with increasing measurement time, leading to a drift of the timing information. We present here a method to identify and correct such temporal drifts of single photon detectors, based on asynchronous quantum ghost imaging. We also show the effect of this correction on a recent QGI measurement from our group., Comment: Template of MDPI sensors used as publication is intended in said journal

A microscopic model for a translational Brownian motor, dubbed as Brownian Translator, is introduced. It is inspired by the Brownian Gyrator of Filliger and Reimann (Filliger and Reimann 2007). The Brownian Translator consists of a spatially asymmetric object moving freely along a line due to perpetual collisions with a surrounding ideal gas. When this gas has an anisotropic temperature, both spatial and temporal symmetries are broken and the object acquires a nonzero drift. Onsager reciprocity implies the opposite phenomenon, that is dragging a spatially asymmetric object in an (initially at) equilibrium gas induces an energy flow that results in anisotropic gas temperatures. Expressions for the dynamical and energetic properties are derived as a series expansion in the mass ratio (of gas particle vs. object). These results are in excellent agreement with molecular dynamics simulations., Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures

In general relativity, all vacuum black holes are described by the Kerr solution. Beyond general relativity, there is a prevailing expectation that deviations from the Kerr solution increase with the horizon curvature. We challenge this expectation by showing that, in a scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory, black holes scalarize in a finite, adjustable window of black-hole masses, bounded from above and below. In this theory, there is an interplay between curvature scales and compactness, which we expect to protect neutron stars and other less compact objects from scalarization. In addition, this theory is the first to avoid the catastrophic instability of early-universe cosmology that affects previous scalarization models. In this theory, black-hole uniqueness can be broken at supermassive black-hole scales, while stellar-mass black holes remain well-described by the Kerr solution. To probe this scenario, observations targeting supermassive black holes are necessary., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures + supplemental material; V2: Included a discussion on the cosmological stability of the theory + minor changes

New physics beyond General Relativity can modify image features of black holes and horizonless spacetimes and increase the separation between photon rings. This motivates us to explore synthetic images consisting of two thin rings. Our synthetic images are parameterized by the separation as well as the relative flux density of the two rings. We perform fits to the visibility amplitude and analyze closure quantities. The current Event Horizon Telescope array cannot detect the presence of a second ring in the region of parameters motivated by particular new-physics cases. We show that this can be improved in three ways: first, if the array is upgraded with Earth-based telescopes with sufficiently high sensitivity, second, if the array is upgraded with a space-based station and third, if super-resolution techniques are used for the data obtained by the array., Comment: v2: 39 pages with references, 15 figures, accepted for publication in JCAP v1: 38 pages with references, 18 figures, comments welcome

The understanding of phenomena falling outside the Ginzburg-Landau paradigm of phase transitions represents a key challenge in condensed matter physics. A famous class of examples is constituted by the putative deconfined quantum critical points between two symmetry-broken phases in layered quantum magnets, such as pressurised SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$. Experiments find a weak first-order transition, which simulations of relevant microscopic models can reproduce. The origin of this behaviour has been a matter of considerable debate for several years. In this work, we demonstrate that the nature of the deconfined quantum critical point can be best understood in terms of a novel dynamical mechanism, termed Nordic walking. Nordic walking denotes a renormalisation group flow arising from a beta function that is flat over a range of couplings. This gives rise to a logarithmic flow that is faster than the well-known walking behaviour, associated with the annihilation and complexification of fixed points, but still significantly slower than the generic running of couplings. The Nordic-walking mechanism can thus explain weak first-order transitions, but may also play a role in high-energy physics, where it could solve hierarchy problems. We analyse the Wess-Zumino-Witten field theory pertinent to deconfined quantum critical points with a topological term in 2+1 dimensions. To this end, we construct an advanced functional renormalisation group approach based on higher-order regulators. We thereby calculate the beta function directly in 2+1 dimensions and provide evidence for Nordic walking., Comment: 12 + 11 pages (typeset with sn-jnl.cls), 4 + 1 figures; comments welcome

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration recently published the first images of the supermassive black holes in the cores of the Messier 87 and Milky Way galaxies. These observations have provided a new means to study supermassive black holes and probe physical processes occurring in the strong-field regime. We review the prospects of future observations and theoretical studies of supermassive black hole systems with the next-generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT), which will greatly enhance the capabilities of the existing EHT array. These enhancements will open up several previously inaccessible avenues of investigation, thereby providing important new insights into the properties of supermassive black holes and their environments. This review describes the current state of knowledge for five key science cases, summarising the unique challenges and opportunities for fundamental physics investigations that the ngEHT will enable., Comment: To be submitted to journal. Comments are welcome

The nature of dark matter is a problem with too many potential solutions. We investigate whether a consistent embedding into quantum gravity can decimate the number of solutions to the dark-matter problem. Concretely, we focus on a hidden sector composed of a gauge field and a charged scalar, with gauge group U(1)$_{\textmd{D}}$ or SU(2)$_\textmd{D}$. The gauge field is the dark matter candidate, if the gauge symmetry is broken spontaneously. Phenomenological constraints on the couplings in this model arise from requiring that the correct dark matter relic density is produced via thermal freeze-out and that recent bounds from direct-detection experiments are respected. We find that the consistent embedding into asymptotically safe quantum gravity gives rise to additional constraints on the couplings at the Planck scale, from which we calculate corresponding constraints at low energy scales. We discover that phenomenological constraints cannot be satisfied simultaneously with theoretical constraints from asymptotically safe quantum gravity, ruling out these dark matter models., Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures

When an ensemble of quantum emitters couples to a common radiation field, their polarizations can synchronize and a collective emission termed superfluorescence can occur. Entering this regime in a free-space setting requires a large number of emitters with a high spatial density as well as coherent optical transitions with small inhomogeneity. Here we show that by coupling nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in a diamond membrane to a high-finesse microcavity, also few, incoherent, inhomogeneous, and spatially separated emitters - as are typical for solid state systems - can enter the regime of collective emission. We observe a super-linear power dependence of the emission rate as a hallmark of collective emission. Furthermore, we find simultaneous photon bunching and antibunching on different timescales in the second-order auto-correlation function, revealing cavity-induced interference in the quantized emission from about fifteen emitters. We develop theoretical models for mesoscopic emitter numbers to analyze the behavior in the Dicke state basis and find that the population of collective states together with cavity enhancement and filtering can explain the observations. Such a system has prospects for the generation of multi-photon quantum states, and for the preparation of entanglement in few-emitter systems., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures

Fulminating gold, the first high-explosive compound to be discovered, disintegrates in a mysterious cloud of purple smoke, the nature of which has been speculated upon since its discovery in 1585. In this work, we show that the colour of the smoke is due to the presence of gold nanoparticles., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 1 table