Researchers from the University of Maryland have challenged a fundamental principle of statistical physics by demonstrating that boundary geometry can dictate the internal phases of certain quantum lattice models. Using a highly precise new computational framework to study quantum dimer models, the team discovered that changing a system's shape (such as moving from a square to a diamond domain) can force the bulk material to split into distinct, coexisting physical phases. This breakthrough provides a significant counterexample to the long-held assumption that interior properties remain independent of surface effects in large systems and opens new avenues for exploring geometry-driven quantum phenomena.
A theory has been developed that characterizes how rattling is related to the amount of time that a system spends in a state, explaining self-organization in nonequilibrium systems such as bacterial colonies, protein complexes, and hybrid materials.
This review article discusses the concept of entropy in statistical physics and its role as both a tool for inference and a measure of time irreversibility. It highlights the developments in stochastic thermodynamics and the principle of maximum caliber, emphasizing the importance of cross-talk among researchers in disparate fields.
