aiqbench analysis
This research demonstrates that treating scientific documents as images for retrieval is fundamentally flawed, particularly for text-heavy papers where structured data like tables and equations are critical. The authors introduce ArXivDoc, a new benchmark based on raw LaTeX sources, proving that text-based or interleaved representations significantly outperform image-only approaches without needing specialized training. This finding directly impacts the development of scientific AI tools by shifting focus from visual page rendering to semantic understanding of underlying document structures.
Document-as-Image Representations Fall Short for Scientific Retrieval
arXiv:2604.18508v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: Many recent document embedding models are trained on document-as-image representations, embedding rendered pages as images rather than the underlying source. Meanwhile, existing benchmarks for scientific document retrieval, such as ArXivQA and ViDoRe, treat documents as images of pages, implicitly favoring such representations. In this work, we argue that this paradigm is not well-suited for text-rich multimodal scientific documents, where critical evidence is distributed across structured sources, including text, tables, and figures. To study this setting, we introduce ArXivDoc, a new benchmark constructed from the underlying LaTeX sources of scientific papers. Unlike PDF or image-based representations, LaTeX provides direct access to structured elements (e.g., sections, tables, figures, equations), enabling controlled query construction grounded in specific evidence types. We systematically compare text-only, image-based, and multimodal representations across both single-vector and multi-vector retrieval models. Our results show that: (1) document-as-image representations are consistently suboptimal, especially as document length increases; (2) text-based representations are most effective, even for figure-based queries, by leveraging captions and surrounding context; and (3) interleaved text+image representations outperform document-as-image approaches without requiring specialized training.
Abstract:Many recent document embedding models are trained on document-as-image representations, embedding rendered pages as images rather than the underlying source. Meanwhile, existing benchmarks for scientific document retrieval, such as ArXivQA and ViDoRe, treat documents as images of pages, implicitly favoring such representations. In this work, we argue that this paradigm is not well-suited for text-rich multimodal scientific documents, where critical evidence is distributed across structured sources, including text, tables, and figures. To study this setting, we introduce ArXivDoc, a new benchmark constructed from the underlying LaTeX sources of scientific papers. Unlike PDF or image-based representations, LaTeX provides direct access to structured elements (e.g., sections, tables, figures, equations), enabling controlled query construction grounded in specific evidence types. We systematically compare text-only, image-based, and multimodal representations across both single-vector and multi-vector retrieval models. Our results show that: (1) document-as-image representations are consistently suboptimal, especially as document length increases; (2) text-based representations are most effective, even for figure-based queries, by leveraging captions and surrounding context; and (3) interleaved text+image representations outperform document-as-image approaches without requiring specialized training.
Information Retrieval (cs.IR); Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI); Computation and Language (cs.CL)
arXiv:2604.18508 [cs.IR]
(or arXiv:2604.18508v2 [cs.IR] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2604.18508 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite
arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.
Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.
Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 273 words
Related coverage
[AINews] Opus 5.5 is good at explainer videos
Latent Space · Sep 29, 2026
[AINews] The Future of Latent Space
Latent Space · Sep 25, 2026
SQL Data Types: Reference and Best Practices
Databricks · Sep 8, 2026
ReFigBench: Benchmarking Scientific Figure Reconstruction as Editable PowerPoint Artifacts
arXiv · Sep 17, 2026