Physica Scripta is an international journal for experimental and theoretical physics comprising strong components of atomic, molecular and optical physics, plasma physics, condensed matter physics and mathematical physics. The journal publishes comments in six different sections and maintains a program of topical issues alongside the regular 12 issues.

Research papers

Reports of original research work; not normally more than 8500 words (14 journal pages).

Comments

These articles range across six sections encompassing the whole of physics: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (CAMOP); Condensed Matter Physics (CCMP); Nuclear and Particle Physics (CNPP); Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion (CPPCF); Astrophysics and Cosmology (CAC); Facilities and Research Projects (CFRP).

Comments should describe the current thinking of leading researchers on outstanding problems. This may include discussion of open questions, questions that recent work has apparently closed, important new applications, new theoretical and experimental approaches, and predictions of future developments.

Comments are intended to bridge gaps in readers' knowledge and provide insight into problems, methods and results in different areas of physics.

There is no reason for Comments to shy away from controversial topics, on which different experts have different views. Rather, Comments on such topics are desirable, provided the author fairly represents all sides of the controversy.

A good Comment, in addition to being an authoritative contribution of an acknowledged expert, also is readily perused by non-experts and graduate students. Two guidelines for style are an introductory colloquium on the author’s chosen subject, or a personal “column” guiding readers to the literature and progress in physics.

Authors are encouraged to write articles of 2500 – 6000 words in length.

Topical Issues

Volumes published separately from the regular journal issues, contain invited presentations and/or poster contributions from international conferences highlighting cutting-edge research across key areas of physics.

The annual Nobel Physics Symposium is frequently published as a Topical issue.