The Vanguard of Discovery
A scholarly overview of the premier journal introducing recent advancements across the physical sciences.
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Journal Overview
A Beacon for Modern Physics
Contemporary Physics stands as a distinguished peer-reviewed scientific journal, dedicated to publishing accessible introductory articles on pivotal recent developments within the expansive field of physics. It serves as a crucial resource for academics and students alike, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and broader understanding.
Publication & Editorial Structure
Established in 1959, Contemporary Physics has been consistently published by Taylor & Francis (opens in new tab), a renowned academic publisher based in the United Kingdom. The journal maintains a quarterly publication schedule, ensuring a steady flow of current insights. Editorial oversight and rigorous peer review processes are meticulously managed by its dedicated editorial board, upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. The journal is currently edited by the esteemed Peter Knight (scientist).
Impact and Reach
Reflecting its significant influence in the scientific community, Contemporary Physics achieved an impressive impact factor of 5.185 in 2020.[2] This metric underscores its role in disseminating impactful research and fostering intellectual discourse across the physics discipline. Published exclusively in English, it caters to a global audience of scholars and enthusiasts.
Disciplinary Scope
Cosmic and Quantum Realms
The journal encompasses a broad spectrum of physics, delving into both the macroscopic and quantum scales. Key areas include:
- Astrophysics: Exploring celestial phenomena and the universe's fundamental laws.
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics: Investigating the structure and interactions of atoms and their nuclei.
- Particle & High Energy Physics: Unraveling the elementary constituents of matter and their fundamental forces.
Matter and Computation
Further extending its reach, Contemporary Physics covers the intricate behaviors of matter and the computational methods used to understand them:
- Chemical Physics: Intersections of physics and chemistry, focusing on physical phenomena in chemical systems.
- Computational Physics: Application of numerical methods and algorithms to solve physical problems.
- Condensed Matter Physics: Study of the macroscopic and microscopic physical properties of matter, especially solids and liquids.
Environment and Theory
The journal also addresses the physical principles governing our environment and the foundational theoretical frameworks:
- Environmental Physics: Applying physics to environmental problems.
- Experimental Physics: Design and execution of experiments to observe and test physical phenomena.
- General Physics: Broad foundational concepts and interdisciplinary topics.
- Plasma Physics: Study of ionized gases and their applications.
- Space Science: Exploration of space and its physical properties.
- Theoretical Physics: Development of mathematical models and abstractions to explain natural phenomena.
Journal Aims
Educating the Next Generation
A primary aim of Contemporary Physics is to serve as an invaluable educational resource. It specifically targets undergraduates, teachers, lecturers, and those embarking on postgraduate studies, providing them with clear, introductory review articles that demystify complex, cutting-edge physics concepts.[1] The journal strives to make advanced topics accessible, fostering a deeper understanding and inspiring future research.
Comprehensive Scholarly Reviews
Beyond its core review articles, the journal dedicates a substantial section to comprehensive book reviews. These include standard evaluations of new publications, as well as more extensive essay reviews that contextualize books within broader aspects of a field. This approach ensures that readers are not only informed about new literature but also understand its significance and implications across the wider physics landscape.[1]
Abstracting & Indexing
Ensuring Discoverability
To maximize its academic reach and ensure discoverability, Contemporary Physics is thoroughly abstracted and indexed by several leading bibliographic databases and services. This critical function allows researchers and students worldwide to efficiently locate and access the journal's valuable content, integrating it into the broader scientific discourse.
Key Indexing Services
The journal's content is indexed in prominent services, including:
- Inspec: A major database for physics, electronics, and computing.
- EBSCO Publishing: A comprehensive provider of research databases.
- Current Contents: A rapid alerting service for new research.
- Current Mathematical Publications: For articles with mathematical relevance.
- Mathematical Reviews: A database of reviews and abstracts for mathematical literature.
- SciSearch: A multidisciplinary database covering scientific and technical literature.
- SciBase: Another significant scientific database.
These indexing services underscore the journal's commitment to broad dissemination and academic visibility.
Citation Metrics
As previously noted, the journal's impact factor of 5.185 in 2020, as reported by Thomson Reuters' Journal Citation Reports,[2] highlights its influence. This metric is a testament to the quality and relevance of the articles published, indicating how frequently its content is cited by other researchers in their work.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
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