Physical Review E

Physical Review E. It is a prominent peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Physical Society, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersections of physics, chemistry, biology, and applied mathematics. Established in 1993, it covers collective phenomena, soft matter, and nonlinear systems, serving as a central forum for work in statistical physics and related fields. The journal is indexed in major databases like Scopus and the Science Citation Index, and its editorial board is led by experts such as Leticia F. Cugliandolo.

History and scope

The journal was launched in 1993 as part of a reorganization of the Physical Review series, initially absorbing content from the statistical physics sections of Physical Review A and Physical Review B. Its creation was driven by the growing interdisciplinary nature of research in areas like complex systems and biological physics, necessitating a dedicated publication venue. The scope has since expanded to encompass pioneering work in active matter, granular materials, network science, and computational physics, reflecting evolving frontiers in science. It has maintained a tradition of publishing foundational research that bridges traditional disciplines, often featuring contributions from institutions like MIT, the University of Chicago, and École Normale Supérieure.

Content and article types

The journal publishes a diverse array of content, including regular articles, rapid communications, and invited reviews, with a strong emphasis on theoretical, computational, and experimental studies. Core subject areas include phase transitions, pattern formation, turbulence, polymer physics, and biophysical modeling, often intersecting with chemistry and engineering. Special issues and collections frequently highlight emerging topics, such as those related to the COVID-19 pandemic or advances in machine learning applications. Notable article types also include comments and errata, ensuring scholarly dialogue and correction within the community, guided by standards from organizations like the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Editorial process and impact

The editorial process is overseen by a board of editors and a large panel of referees drawn from the international scientific community, ensuring rigorous peer review aligned with the standards of the American Physical Society. The journal operates a hybrid open-access model, allowing authors to choose between traditional subscription-based or Creative Commons licensed publication. Its impact factor, while varying annually, consistently reflects its influence in fields like soft condensed matter and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The editorial office, historically located in Ridge, New York, works closely with the American Institute of Physics on production and indexing matters.

Notable publications

The journal has published many seminal papers that have shaped modern interdisciplinary physics. Early influential work included studies on self-organized criticality by researchers like Per Bak, and foundational models in complex networks by scientists such as Albert-László Barabási. More recent highlights encompass breakthroughs in DNA mechanics, active nematics, and epidemiological modeling, often cited in major reviews and textbooks. Several articles have been recognized through awards like the APS Fellowship or have been featured in media outlets like Physics Today, underscoring their broad scientific significance.

Relationship to other journals

It is an integral part of the Physical Review family, which includes titles like Physical Review Letters, Physical Review A, and Physical Review X, each with distinct but overlapping scopes. While Physical Review Letters focuses on high-impact, broad-interest results, this journal provides a more specialized venue for detailed studies in its core areas. It also competes and collaborates with international journals such as Europhysics Letters, the Journal of Chemical Physics, and Nature Physics. Its content is complementary to that of the Society of Rheology's publications and often cross-referenced in journals like Science and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Category:American Physical Society academic journals Category:Physics journals Category:Monthly journals Category:Academic journals established in 1993