Published twice-monthly (24 issues per year), Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics covers the study of atoms, ions, molecules and clusters, and their structure and interactions with particles, photons or fields. The journal also publishes articles dealing with those aspects of spectroscopy, quantum optics and non-linear optics, laser physics, astrophysics, plasma physics, chemical physics, optical cooling and trapping and other investigations where the objects of study are the elementary atomic, ionic or molecular properties of processes.

Papers are published under the following subject sections:

• Atomic physics
• Molecular and cluster structure, properties and dynamics
• Atomic and molecular collisions
• Cold matter
• Optical and laser physics
• Quantum optics, information and control
• Ultrafast, high-field, and x-ray physics
• Astrophysics and plasma physics

More information on each of these sections can be found on our Subject sections page.

Article types

The journal publishes research papers, Fast Track Communications (FTCs), topical reviews and tutorial articles. We attend and sponsor a number of conferences to keep up to date with the latest developments and to maintain our links with the AMO community.

Research papers: Reports of original research work; not normally more than 8500 words (10 journal pages).

Fast Track Communications (FTCs): Outstanding short papers reporting new and timely developments in atomic, molecular and optical physics including quantum optics and quantum information which justify accelerated publication. FTCs will be processed quickly and are available free to readers in the electronic journal. To facilitate a fast review process, FTCs do not normally exceed six journal pages (5000 words).

Topical reviews: Topical reviews present a snapshot of recent progress in a particular field. Written by leading researchers in their respective fields, these articles present the background to a particular field and the current state of the art. Topical reviews are normally commissioned by the Editorial Board although we are happy to receive suggestions for future topics.

PhD Tutorials: 12,000 to 18,000 word long articles of pedagogical nature. Tutorials will guide newcomers into rapidly developing fields where textbooks are still unavailable and allow interested researchers from more distant fields to gain an insight into what they see as a new subject. A Tutorial will be either based on an excellent PhD thesis or an outstanding lecture series at a graduate Winter/Summer School. Tutorials are normally commissioned by the Editorial Board although we are happy to receive suggestions for future topics.

NEW - Invited papers in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics are 9000 to 14 000 world long 'hybrid' articles, i.e. mixing review material and new, unpublished research. Invited papers will deal with breaking, emerging topics. They will be more narrowly focused, hence shorter than regular topical reviews, but they will be of the same quality standards as a 'Habilitation'. Invited papers are normally commissioned by the Editorial Board.