Since its launch in 1798, many classic papers have been published in Philosophical Magazine, including notable articles by Faraday, Joule, Lord Kelvin, Clausius, Maxwell, Rayleigh, Michelson, Rydberg, Zeeman, J.J. Thomson, Rutherford, Millikan, Bohr and de Broglie, to name just some of the legendary scientists who have contributed papers. There have been more recent papers from Nobel Laureates, for example Anderson, Mott and Giorgio Parisi, the latter being awarded the prize for physics in 2021 for his work on spin glasses, which proved widely applicable in the study of complex systems.
The current Editors of Philosophical Magazine consider for publication contributions describing original experimental and theoretical research, computational simulations and concepts relating to condensed matter physics and materials science, and their explanation or interpretation on an atomic or microscopic scale. The submission of papers on novel measurements, phenomena, and new types of material such as low-dimensional systems, topological phases and multicomponent metals and oxides is particularly encouraged.
Part A (Materials Science) carries papers where, in general, the phenomena and interpretation are on an atomic scale, for example physical, mechanical and defect-related properties of metals and alloys, ceramics, semiconductors and polymers studied by techniques such as electron microscopy, indentation, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray microanalysis, electron energy loss spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy.
Examples of relevant topics and materials include:
Energy materials (solar, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen storage)
Nanostructures
Low-dimensional materials
High-entropy alloys
Crystal growth, kinetics
Dislocations and defects
Soft matter
Metallic glasses
Metamaterials
Part B (Condensed Matter Physics) carries papers where, in general, the phenomena and interpretation are on an electronic scale, for example optical and electrical properties of emergent, correlated and topological phases studied by techniques such as electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, nuclear magnetic resonance and neutron, photoelectron and X-ray spectroscopies.
Examples of relevant topics and materials include:
Phase transitions
Atomic structure and phononics
Ferroelectrics and multiferroics
Disordered systems and alloys
Magnetism
Superconductivity
Electronic structure, photonics, and metamaterials
Semiconductors and mesoscopic systems
Surfaces, nanoscience, and two-dimensional materials
Topological states of matter
In addition to Parts A and B, we are launching in 2023 two new Parts, C and D, to Philosophical Magazine, as follows:
Part C (Quantum Materials, Quantum Techniques and Quantum Computing)
Further details of Part C will soon be made available.
Part D (History of the Physical Sciences)
Part D will include in particular the history of physics and materials science, as seen through the eyes of professional historians of science as well as those of practicing scientists with an interest in the history of their subject. Further details of Part D will soon be made available.
Philosophical Magazine Letters is, from the beginning of 2023, a fully open-access journal. Authors are required to pay an article publication charge (APC). Philosophical Magazine Letters’ scope has recently been expanded to cover a much broader range of physics disciplines and a wider range of article types, including reviews. Full details of the journal’s expanded coverage can be found by clicking on the link to Philosophical Magazine Letters’ home page given below. We are currently considering a change of the journal’s title to better reflect the changed aims and scope.
The Editors welcome submissions to all parts of Philosophical Magazine and to Philosophical Magazine Letters. Please follow the links below to the home pages of each journal, where the journals’ aims and scopes, instructions for authors, and details of how to submit articles to each journal can be found:
Philosophical Magazine, Parts A, B, C and D:
Philosophical Magazine | Taylor & Francis Online (tandfonline.com)
Philosophical Magazine Letters (fully open access):
Philosophical Magazine Letters | Taylor & Francis Online (tandfonline.com)