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Physical Review B

Physical Review B (PRB) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published weekly by the American Physical Society (APS), focusing on significant developments in condensed matter and materials physics. Established in 1970 as part of a division of the original Physical Review into specialized sections, it serves as an authoritative venue for high-quality research in established and emerging topics within the field. As the largest dedicated journal in condensed matter physics, PRB publishes a wide range of article types, including regular articles, Rapid Communications, and Brief Reports, reaching a broad international audience of researchers. The journal's creation addressed the growing specialization in physics during the late 1960s, when the undivided Physical Review—founded in 1893—had become too broad to efficiently handle the volume and diversity of submissions. In 1970, APS launched four new journals from this split: Physical Review A for atomic, molecular, and optical physics; Physical Review B for condensed matter; Physical Review C for nuclear physics; and Physical Review D for particles and fields. Under founding editor Peter J. Adams, PRB quickly established itself as a cornerstone for the community, with the first issue appearing in January 1970 and subsequent volumes emphasizing rigorous peer review and comprehensive coverage. PRB's scope encompasses theoretical and experimental studies of electronic structure, magnetism, superconductivity, semiconductors, nanostructures, and soft matter, among other areas, prioritizing originality, clarity, and scientific impact. It maintains high standards through a selective editorial process, publishing approximately 5,247 papers annually and accumulating over 410,222 total citations, reflecting its influence. With a 2023 Journal Impact Factor of 3.2 and a CiteScore of 6.2, PRB continues to be a premier outlet for advancing fundamental understanding and applications in materials science. All content is available online via the APS journal platform, with options for open access through hybrid and fully open models.

Overview

Scope and Focus Areas

Physical Review B (PRB) is dedicated to the core disciplines of and materials physics, encompassing both theoretical and experimental studies of the atomic, electronic, magnetic, optical, and structural properties of solids. The journal publishes research on a wide array of phenomena in these fields, emphasizing significant advances in understanding fundamental physical mechanisms and their applications. Key subfields covered include semiconductors and semiconducting alloys, superconductors and magnetic structures, , insulators and dielectrics, metals through electronic structure analyses, in solid-state systems, physics and , nanoscience and low-dimensional systems (such as ), and topological materials. Additional focus areas encompass structure and phase transitions, ferroelectrics and , defects and doping effects, phonons and lattice dynamics, surfaces and interfaces, device physics, and emerging applications like in materials discovery. These topics highlight PRB's role within the broader family as the primary venue for in-depth condensed matter research. The journal places particular emphasis on significant developments such as lattice dynamics, in solids, and phase transitions, which form the foundation for exploring complex behaviors in materials. Recent topics reflect ongoing advancements, including investigations into Wigner crystals in two-dimensional electron systems, spin-phase detection in chiral helimagnets via spin currents, and mechanisms underlying in novel compounds like hydrides and MBenes.

Publisher and Editorial Team

Physical Review B is published by the (APS), a non-profit membership organization founded in 1899 to advance and share the knowledge of physics worldwide. The APS assumed responsibility for the Physical Review journal series in 1913, establishing it as a of physics publishing. As a key part of this portfolio, Physical Review B benefits from the APS's commitment to rigorous, high-quality dissemination of scientific research in the physical sciences. The journal operates with continuous online publication, releasing articles electronically one at a time upon acceptance, while maintaining approximately four print issues per month that are mailed at four-week intervals. This model supports rapid dissemination, resulting in over 5,000 papers published annually, making it one of the largest dedicated journals in condensed matter and materials physics. All content is published exclusively in English to ensure accessibility to the community. The editorial structure is led by Chief Editor Sarma Kancharla, appointed in April 2024, who oversees overall editorial policies and operations from the headquarters. Assisting Kancharla is Lead Editor Stephen E. Nagler, appointed in 2023, who manages the day-to-day handling of manuscripts and coordinates with the broader team. The team includes a group of senior editors, associate editors with expertise in various subfields, and an comprising distinguished researchers who provide strategic guidance on scope and standards. Complementing this is the Early Career Researcher Advisory Board (ECAB), established in 2024 with 18 inaugural members from 10 countries, serving two-year terms to offer perspectives from emerging leaders in the field. The entire operation is based at the editorial offices in Ridge, , .

History

Founding and Separation from Physical Review

Physical Review B was established in 1970 by the (APS) to accommodate the burgeoning field of , emerging as a specialized journal from the division of the longstanding general , which had been founded in 1893 at and taken over by APS in 1913. The rapid postwar expansion of research, driven by advances in and , contributed to an overwhelming increase in submissions to the original , making it impractical to maintain as a single publication. This growth necessitated a structural reorganization to enhance efficiency and focus, resulting in the launch of four distinct journals that year: for , molecular, and optical physics; for ; for ; and for particles and fields. The founding editor, Peter Adams, later reflected that Physical Review B's creation stemmed directly from the original journal's excessive size, which had hindered timely publication and thematic coherence. From its inception, the journal emphasized rigorous peer-reviewed research in solid-state phenomena, including electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and magnetic properties, reflecting the era's priorities in devices and ferromagnetic materials. Over time, its scope broadened to include and , adapting to interdisciplinary developments while retaining its core commitment to foundational solid-state studies. Volume 1 of Physical Review B appeared in January 1970, marking the journal's debut with articles that highlighted key areas of solid-state research, such as theoretical models of magnetoacoustic waves and critical behavior in magnetic lattices. Early issues featured contributions on topics like light scattering in plasmas and applications to thin films, underscoring the journal's immediate role in advancing understanding of semiconductors and magnetism. This initial volume set the tone for PRB as a vital outlet for experimental and theoretical work in an increasingly vital branch of physics.

Key Milestones and Evolution

Following its establishment in as a specialized outlet for research, Physical Review B underwent substantial expansion in publication volume, growing from roughly 1,000 articles annually during the 1970s to more than 5,000 by the 2020s, reflecting the burgeoning output in the field. This increase positioned PRB as the world's largest dedicated physics journal, with approximately 100 high-quality papers published each week by the late 2010s. The journal's scope evolved notably in the decades after its founding, transitioning from a primary emphasis on to the more encompassing domain of during the 1980s and 1990s, better accommodating interdisciplinary advancements. By the 2000s, PRB had broadened further to incorporate key areas such as , nanoscience—including studies on and other two-dimensional materials—and topics, aligning with the field's organic growth and the influx of applied research. Editorial innovations supported this development, including the introduction of the Rapid Communications section in , which enabled the swift dissemination of short, highly original contributions of specialized interest. The 1990s marked a pivotal shift to digital publishing, with manuscript submission becoming practical by 1990 and the American Physical Society's online platform facilitating broader access, culminating in the full of PRB's archives by the early 2000s. In 2020, PRB marked its 50th anniversary through a series of s and a curated collection of milestone papers, underscoring the journal's lasting influence on condensed matter research amid its remarkable expansion. That same year, in response to the , the journal implemented accelerated review processes to support timely publication of relevant studies, alongside expanded remote access and author accommodations provided by the . More recently, in 2023, PRB established the Researcher Advisory Board (ECAB), comprising 18 inaugural members to incorporate perspectives from emerging scientists into decisions.

Publication Details

Article Types and Formats

Physical Review B publishes a variety of article types to accommodate different research communication needs within the field of condensed matter and materials physics. Regular Articles form the core of the journal's content, presenting comprehensive original research that aligns with the journal's scope and editorial standards; these have no strict length limit, though authors are encouraged to be concise to facilitate readability. Letters, formerly known as Rapid Communications, are designed for urgent, high-impact findings that can be conveyed accessibly in a compact format, with a maximum length of 4500 words to ensure rapid publication and priority handling during the process. Comments and Replies allow authors to critique or respond to previously published work in the journal, limited to 3500 words, providing a mechanism for scholarly discourse while maintaining brevity. Errata serve to correct significant errors in already published articles, ensuring the accuracy of the scientific record. In addition to these, Physical Review B features invited Perspectives and Reviews, which offer forward-looking overviews or comprehensive syntheses of emerging topics, such as advances in topological materials or quantum computing applications in condensed matter; these are solicited by the editors and have flexible length guidelines to suit their in-depth nature. All article types, except Errata, require a structured format to enhance clarity and accessibility. Manuscripts are preferably prepared using LaTeX with the REVTeX system, though Microsoft Word is accepted; each submission must include an abstract of less than 500 words that summarizes the key findings without references or abbreviations, followed by the main body with sections, references, and appendices if needed. Figures and tables should be high-resolution, with color used judiciously and legends that stand alone; supplemental materials, such as detailed derivations, datasets, or multimedia, can accompany the main text and are hosted online with a DOI assigned by the publisher. There are no page charges for standard submissions across all types. Annually, Physical Review B produces approximately 5,247 articles, including Letters and other contributions, reflecting its substantial role in disseminating condensed matter research.

Peer Review Process and Policies

Physical Review B employs a single-anonymous process, in which the identities of the referees remain confidential while authors' names are visible to reviewers. Editors select typically one or two independent referees with expertise in the relevant field of condensed matter and materials physics to evaluate submissions. Referees assess the manuscript's scientific validity, , soundness, and potential , providing detailed reports that guide editorial decisions. The first decision after peer review typically takes about 107 days, though desk rejections occur faster (around 44 days), and overall timelines can vary based on referee availability and manuscript complexity. Editorial policies at Physical Review B emphasize originality, requiring that manuscripts represent unpublished work not under consideration elsewhere, with checks conducted routinely. is a core criterion, with referees expected to verify that methods and results are sufficiently detailed for replication. Data availability is mandated through a required statement in every published article, explaining how underlying data can be accessed, shared, or obtained, a policy initially implemented in 2017 and refreshed in to promote transparency. Since 2017, authors are encouraged to share code and supplemental materials to facilitate , often via repositories or as supplemental files. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed by authors, referees, and editors to ensure impartiality. Author guidelines support free submission with no fees for the hybrid subscription model, though incurs an . The journal encourages diverse authorship and the use of inclusive, respectful language to foster equitable scientific discourse. Preprints are permitted, including those posted on , and authors may update them during review. Corrections are handled via errata for minor errors, while retractions follow established protocols for serious issues like . The journal maintains a rejection rate of approximately 50%, with about one-third of submissions desk-rejected by editors to prioritize work of broad interest in . This selective process ensures high standards, focusing on contributions that advance the field enduringly.

Impact and Accessibility

Citation Metrics and Influence

Physical Review B (PRB) maintains a prominent position in the field of , as evidenced by its Journal Impact Factor of 3.7 according to the 2024 Journal Citation Reports released by in 2025. This metric reflects the average number of citations received in 2024 by articles published in the journal during the preceding two years, underscoring its sustained relevance for researchers seeking high-impact work in areas such as electronic structure and materials properties. Complementing this, PRB's (SJR) stands at 1.303, positioning it within the top 10% of physics journals by scientific influence, as the SJR accounts for both the quantity and quality of citations received. The journal's of 517 further highlights its productivity and citation longevity, indicating that 517 articles have each garnered at least 517 citations. As the most highly cited journal in , PRB demonstrates robust citation trends, with a of 6.2 that measures the average citations per document over a four-year window, signaling strong ongoing engagement with its publications. Papers in PRB typically accumulate 20-30 citations on average within five years post-publication, a figure derived from its 5-year trends and total citation volume exceeding 410,000. This influence is amplified by the journal's publication volume of approximately 100 high-quality papers each week, enabling rapid dissemination of advancements in subfields like and . Notably, PRB has played a pivotal role in seminal developments, such as the and of high-temperature superconductors in the 1980s, where key papers from the journal amassed thousands of citations and shaped subsequent research trajectories. Comparatively, PRB's normalized score of 37.73 indicates it is 37 times more influential than the average journal, factoring in the network of citations across scholarly literature. Articles from PRB are downloaded millions of times annually through the () platform, reflecting broad accessibility and readership among global physicists. As of 2025, the journal's impact remains stable amid the broader shift toward models, with a slight rise in its from 3.2 in 2023 to 3.7 in 2024, attributable in part to increased submissions and citations in burgeoning areas like and topological insulators. This upward trend aligns with PRB's h5-index of 133, which tracks the highest number of papers with at least 133 citations in , affirming its leadership in timely, high-impact contributions.

Indexing and Open Access Options

Physical Review B is indexed in several prominent academic databases, facilitating its discoverability among researchers in condensed matter and materials physics. These include , (specifically the ), , , and , with comprehensive coverage of articles dating back to the journal's inception in 1970. The journal operates on a hybrid subscription-based access model, where content is primarily available through institutional or individual subscriptions, but authors can opt for publication. articles in Physical Review B are made available under a BY (CC-BY) license, funded either through the APS's participation in initiatives like SCOAP³ for eligible high-energy physics-related content or via author-paid article processing charges (). The for in Physical Review B is approximately $2,840 for original research papers, covering the costs of , editing, and dissemination. Several free resources enhance accessibility to Physical Review B content. Abstracts and titles for all articles are freely available through the Physical Review Online Archive (PROLA), which serves as a digital repository for journals. Full-text access is provided at no cost to users at U.S. libraries as part of an initiative to promote engagement with physics research. Additionally, researchers in eligible developing and low-income countries gain free full access via the Research4Life program, through which partners to distribute journals to over 115 nations. All Physical Review B content has been digitally available online since 1998 via the journals platform, with every article assigned a unique (DOI) for persistent linking and citation. The platform supports multimedia supplements, such as videos, datasets, and interactive figures, which authors can include to enrich article presentations. In recent years, adoption in Physical Review B has grown, with institutional read-and-publish agreements enabling more authors to publish without direct APC costs; by 2025, approximately 20-25% of publications appear as open access, reflecting broader trends in physics publishing toward increased openness.

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