Cholesteric Shells: Two-Dimensional Blue Fog and Finite Quasicrystals January 11, 2022 Certain chiral liquid crystals confined to quasi-two-dimensional curved shells (cholesteric shells) support topological phases that are absent in flat geometries. L. N. Carenza et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 027801 (2022) Issue 2 Table of Contents More Covers Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Efficient Experimental Verification of Quantum Gates with Local Operations A quantum gate verification protocol is experimentally demonstrated for a two-qubit controlled-NOT gate and a three-qubit Toffoli gate, using only local state preparations and measurements. Rui-Qi Zhang et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 020502 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Magnetic-Field Effect in High-Order Above-Threshold Ionization A target-sensitive nondipole effect is experimentally observed for the first time in strong-field ionization. Kang Lin et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 023201 (2022) Local Physics logo NEWS AND COMMENTARY Laser Propagating through Air Sets Stability Record January 14, 2022 An optical link for communication between distant atomic clocks is 100 times more stable than previous links and could enable new precision tests of general relativity. Focus story on: D. R. Gozzard et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 020801 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION When Elasticity Affects Drop Coalescence The shape of a liquid bridge in coalescing droplets is very sensitive to the presence of aqueous polymers, whereas the time evolution of a liquid bridge is not. Pim J. Dekker et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 028004 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Exact Coherent Structures and Phase Space Geometry of Preturbulent 2D Active Nematic Channel Flow The study of exact coherent structures in an active nematic system allows the characterization and control of far-from-equilibrium dynamics. Caleb G. Wagner, Michael M. Norton, Jae Sung Park, and Piyush Grover Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 028003 (2022) Local Physics logo NEWS AND COMMENTARY Multiverse Explanation for Small Higgs Mass January 12, 2022 A new model that assumes that a multitude of universes existed when our Universe first formed may explain why the Higgs mass is smaller than traditional models predict. Synopsis on: Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo and Daniele Teresi Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 021803 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Fluctuation-Induced Interaction in Turbulent Flows Two-dimensional hydrodynamic turbulence is experimentally shown to exert a fluctuation-induced attractive force on confining walls. M. Davoodianidalik et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 024503 (2022) Reinyrobert ANNOUNCEMENT PRL Welcomes Robert Garisto as Its New Managing Editor January 12, 2022 Robert Garisto (right) has been named the Managing Editor of Physical Review Letters, the world’s premier physics journal. As Managing Editor, Garisto will lead PRL’s editorial team and provide scientific direction for the journal in partnership with PRL’s Lead Editor, Hugues Chaté. Read More More News Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Explicit Analytical Solution for Random Close Packing in d=2 and d=3 Using a simple approach that relies only on the statistical properties of jammed packings, the random close packing volume fraction of hard spheres in two and three dimensions can be analytically derived. Alessio Zaccone Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 028002 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Laboratory Observations of Electron Heating and Non-Maxwellian Distributions at the Kinetic Scale during Electron-Only Magnetic Reconnection In a first for a laboratory plasma experiment, non-Maxwellian electron velocity distribution functions have been measured during electron-only magnetic reconnection, showing evidence of bidirectional flows away from the X-point that are consistent with magnetospheric observations. Peiyun Shi et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 025002 (2022) Local Physics logo NEWS AND COMMENTARY Predicting the Shape of Pointy-Rock Forests January 11, 2022 The shape and curvature evolution of dissolving rocks can be predicted using a new theory. Synopsis on: Jinzi Mac Huang and Nicholas J. Moore Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 024501 (2022) Key image EDITORS' SUGGESTION Turbulence Statistics of Arbitrary Moments of Wall-Bounded Shear Flows: A Symmetry Approach Validated with simulations at an unprecedentedly high Reynolds number, a strategy based on symmetries can be used to overcome challenges related to the closure problem in turbulence. Martin Oberlack et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 024502 (2022) EDITORIAL Promoting Inclusive and Respectful Communications November 18, 2020 APS Editor in Chief, Michael Thoennessen, discusses a new opportunity for communicating authors to include their pronouns together with their contact email in order to promote a more respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment.