[hide] v t e Important publications in science Computing Mathematics Computer science (theoretical) Concurrent / parallel / distributed computing Cryptography Mathematics Statistics Natural science Biology (plant taxonomy) Chemistry Geology Medicine Physics (Einstein) Social science Anthropology Economics Psychology (humor research) Sociology Related Philosophy Antiquarian science books

This is a list of important publications in physics, organized by field.

Some reasons why a particular publication might be regarded as important:

• Topic creator – A publication that created a new topic
• Breakthrough – A publication that changed scientific knowledge significantly
• Influence – A publication which has significantly influenced the world or has had a massive impact on the teaching ofphysics.

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Applied physics
  • 1.1 Accelerator physics
  • 1.2 Biophysics
  • 1.3 Geophysics
  • 1.4 Physics of computation
  • 1.5 Plasma physics
• 2 Astrophysics
  • 2.1 Cosmology
• 3 Atomic and molecular physics
• 4 Classical mechanics
  • 4.1 Fluid dynamics
• 5 Computational physics
• 6 Condensed matter physics
  • 6.1 Polymer physics
• 7 Electromagnetism
• 8 General physics
• 9 Mathematical physics
  • 9.1 Pre-Modern (Classical) mathematical physics
  • 9.2 Nonlinear dynamics and chaos
• 10 Optics
• 11 Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • 11.1 Nuclear physics
  • 11.2 Particle physics
• 12 Quantum mechanics
  • 12.1 Quantum field theory
• 13 Relativity
  • 13.1 Special
  • 13.2 General
• 14 Statistical mechanics and Thermodynamics
• 15 See also
• 16 References
• 17 Further reading
• 18 External links

Applied physics[edit]

Accelerator physics[edit]

Main article: Accelerator physics

• Ising, G. (1924). "Prinzip einer Methode zur Herstellung von Kanalstrahlen hoher Voltzahl". Arkiv för matematik, astronomi och fysik (in German) 18 (30): 1–4.

The Swedish physicist Gustav Ising was the first one to publish the basic concept of a linear accelerator (in this case, as part of a cathode ray tube).

• Widerøe, R. (1928). "Über ein neues Prinzip zur Herstellung hoher Spannungen". Archiv für Elektrotechnik (in German) 21 (4): 387–406.doi:10.1007/BF01656341.

The Norwegian physicist Rolf Widerøe took Ising's idea and expanded it. Later, he built the first operational linear accelerator.

• Kerst, D. W. (1941). "The Acceleration of Electrons by Magnetic Induction". Physical Review 60 (1): 47–53. Bibcode:1941PhRv...60...47K.doi:10.1103/PhysRev.60.47.
• Kerst, D. W.; Serber, R. (1941). "Electronic Orbits in the Induction Accelerator". Physical Review 60 (1): 53–58. Bibcode:1941PhRv...60...53K.doi:10.1103/PhysRev.60.53.

These two articles describe the betatron concept and the first experimental data of a working betatron, built by Donald William Kerst.

• Courant, E. D.; Livingston, M. S.; Snyder, H. S. (1952). "The Strong-Focusing Synchrotron—A New High Energy Accelerator". Physical Review 88 (5): 1190–1196. Bibcode:1952PhRv...88.1190C. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.88.1190.
• Courant, E. D.; Snyder, H. S. (1958). "Theory of the alternating-gradient synchrotron". Annals of Physics 3 (1): 1–48. Bibcode:2000AnPhy.281..360C.doi:10.1006/aphy.2000.6012.

These publications were the first to introduce the idea of strong focusing to particle beams, enabling the transition from compact circular accelerator concepts to separate-function magnet devices like synchrotrons, storage rings and particle colliders.