The Top Ten lists in Physics feature papers published during the last
two years (excluding review articles) that were most cited in current
journal articles indexed by
Thomson Reuters
during a recent two-month period. Papers are ranked according to the
latest bimonthly citation count. The articles below are accompanied by
expert discussion and analysis (including comments from the
papers’ authors) written by one of four veteran
scientist-journalists and longtime ScienceWatch.com
contributors.
November/December 2008
Extraordinary X-Ray Observatory Excites
Astronomers
by Simon Mitton
Suzaku, the Japanese X-ray observatory launched in 2005, is producing
highly cited papers and providing an international team of astronomers
with abundant data on gamma-ray bursts, solar flares, supernovae, and
other celestial phenomena. The mission is also providing answers
regarding the nature of spacetime near black holes, the composition of
dark energy, and the workings of cosmic accelerators.
View Article
September/October 2008
With Applications Looming, Is Graphene the New
Silicon?
by Simon Mitton
Graphene, a new form of carbon first produced experimentally in 2004,
is currently the subject of extensive investigation, as its properties
of conduction and heat resistance promise many applications in
electronics. In particular, graphene holds promise as an alternative to
silicon in semiconductors. Current Hot Papers in physics examine the
properties of various forms of graphene.
View Article
July/August 2008
VIM and Vigorous Help in Solving Nonlinear Equations
by Simon Mitton
Two recent Hot Papers in physics discuss, respectively, the variable
iteration method (VIM) for solving nonlinear equations, and the
selective control of electromagnetic fields, with the latter paper
offering a hypothetical scenario in which electromagnetic fields are
manipulated to produce practical invisibility.
View Article
May/June 2008
High-Energy Astrophysicists Endure Frequent
Outbursts
by Simon Mitton
Recent astrophysical research, particularly the from the Swift X-ray
telescope, continues to extend knowledge of gamma-ray bursts, which are
usually caused collapsing stars and which send bursts of energy
throughout the surrounding interstellar medium.
View Article
March/April 2008
Standard Cosmological Model Survives New WMAP
Scrutiny
by Simon Mitton
The 2007 three-year report from the Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) mission, in addtion to being the
most-cited non-review paper published in 2007, is currently the
most-cited paper in physics, based on its September-October
2007 citation tally. WMAP audits the cosmic microwave
background in the universe, providing data that supports and
enhances the current standard model in cosmology.
View Article
