Scientific community and society articles within Nature Physics

Featured

  • Measure for Measure |

    The arrival of a new type of timekeeper heralds the end of the second as we know it, as Helen Margolis explains.

    • Helen Margolis

  • Editorial |

    The 2017 Nobel prize in Physics has been awarded to Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. Thorne “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Wonder material graphene makes metrology practical and relaxed, says Andre Geim.

    • Andre Geim

  • Editorial |

    The Nobel Prize, for all its shortcomings and imperfections, remains unmatched when it comes to the kind of emotions it generates.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool for assessing physical problems, reaffirms Tina Hecksher

    • Tina Hecksher

  • Editorial |

    The International Conference of Physics Students continues its remarkable tradition.

  • Measure for Measure |

    High-precision laboratory experiments with neutrons and atoms are converging to a verdict on 'chameleon fields' as a possible explanation of dark energy, explains Tobias Jenke.

    • Tobias Jenke

  • Commentary |

    Science prizes should better reflect how modern science is carried out, argue Shivaji Sondhi and Steven Kivelson.

    • Shivaji Sondhi
    •  & Steven Kivelson

  • Editorial |

    The rise of big data represents an opportunity for physicists. To take full advantage, however, they need a subtle but important shift in mindset.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Assigning dimensions to physical quantities is not just for practicality. Steven T. Bramwell reflects on the deeper physical connotations of it all.

    • Steven T. Bramwell

  • Editorial |

    The role of physicists in finance is changing, as quantitative trading opens an exciting alternative to traditional financial modelling, and data science lures would-be 'quants' away. But the void is being steadily filled by a new type of analyst.

  • Measure for Measure |

    The path to consistent cgs magnetic units has been long and winding, as is the process of universally adopting SI units. Andreas Trabesinger peeks into the history of the field.

    • Andreas Trabesinger

  • Commentary |

    Physicists are accustomed to dealing with large datasets, yet they are fortunate in that the quality of their experimental data is very good. The onset of big data has led to an explosion of datasets with a far more complex structure — a development that requires new tools and a different mindset.

    • Jeff Byers

  • Editorial |

    Some Springer Nature journals, including Nature Physics, are mandating Open Researcher and Contributor IDs (ORCIDs) for the corresponding authors of accepted papers. We provide some context to this initiative.

  • Commentary |

    INSPIRE, the central information resource of the high-energy physics community, pioneered the open dissemination of scientific literature. It has been evolving to keep up with the new technologies and it is not slowing down.

    • Bernard L. Hecker

  • Measure for Measure |

    Stephan Schlamminger looks at the origins of the Planck constant and its current role in redefining the kilogram.

    • Stephan Schlamminger

  • Editorial |

    Like all journals based on Nature's editorial philosophy, Nature Physics relies on a dedicated team of full-time editors. We briefly describe who they are and what they do.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Alberto Moscatelli surveys a series of experiments on the electron g-factor that marked the departure from the Dirac equation and contributed to the development of quantum electrodynamics.

    • Alberto Moscatelli

  • Editorial |

    The centennial celebrations for morphology masterwork On Growth and Form are just kicking off. We look at why physicists should get involved.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Optical-lattice clocks have pushed the limits of frequency measurement — to such an extent that a tiny difference in altitude affects the clock's tick rate, as Hidetoshi Katori elucidates.

    • Hidetoshi Katori

  • Commentary |

    That we now live in the grip of post-factualism would seem naturally repellent to most physicists. But in championing theory without demanding empirical evidence, we're guilty of ignoring the facts ourselves.

    • Sabine Hossenfelder

  • Editorial |

    The 50th anniversary of the Institut Laue–Langevin marks a time for celebration, and for reflection on the future of Europe's neutron-scattering landscape.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Narrowing down the value of the Hubble constant has been problematic — probably a manifestation of the dark-energy mystery, writes Barbara Ryden.

    • Barbara Ryden

  • Editorial |

    History and cultural depth are assets that benefit Indian science. But do they also hinder it?

  • Measure for Measure |

    Klaus von Klitzing tells the story of the quantum Hall effect's impact on metrology.

    • Klaus von Klitzing

  • Commentary |

    Physics teaching in schools could be transformed by highlighting its role in the animal kingdom.

    • Matin Durrani

  • Editorial |

    This month we officially welcome our new sister journal, Nature Astronomy.

  • Research Highlights |

    • Andreas H. Trabesinger

  • Editorial |

    China is investing in big astronomy and astrophysics projects, but is still debating the way forward in experimental particle physics.

  • Measure for Measure |

    Temperature measurement standards rely on highly reproducible states of matter — including eutectic points, as Jonathan Pearce explains.

    • Jonathan Pearce

  • Measure for Measure |

    Every now and then, an extra second is added to an earthly year — a cause for trouble and debate, as Felicitas Arias has been witnessing.

    • Felicitas Arias

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