List of important publications in physics

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

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

Contents

Applied physics

Accelerator physics

Secondary sources and educational books

Biophysics

Cell

Mathematical

Medical

Molecular

Plant

Geophysics

See also: Geophysics and History of geophysics
  • English translation: Gilbert, William (1991). De Magnete. Unabridged and unaltered translation by P. Fleury Mottelay (republication of the 1893 edition ed.). New York: Dover. ISBN 9780486267616. 
A classic reference on the Earth's magnetic field and related topics in meteorology, solar and lunar physics, the aurora, techniques of spherical harmonic analysis and treatment of periodicities in geophysical data.[1] Its comprehensive summaries made it the standard reference on geomagnetism and the ionosphere for at least 2 decades.[2]
Up to date account of seismic data processing in the petroleum geophysics industry.

Physics of computation

See also: Physics of computation

Astrophysics

See also: Astrophysics

Astrophysics deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior.[3]

Provided strong arguments for heliocentrism and contributed valuable insight into the movement of the planets, including the first mention of their elliptical path and the change of their movement to the movement of free floating bodies as opposed to objects on rotating spheres (two of Kepler's laws). One of the most important works of the Scientific Revolution.[4]
  •   (1997). The harmony of the world. Translated into English with an introduction and notes by E. J. Aiton, A. M. Duncan and J. V. Field. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. ISBN 0-87169-209-0. 
Developed the third of Kepler's laws.
Introduction of the Faber–Jackson law relating galaxy luminosity and velocity dispersion.
Introduction of the Tully–Fisher relation between galaxy luminosity and rotation-curve amplitude.
Introduction of the M-sigma relation between black hole mass and galaxy velocity dispersion.

Cosmology

See also: Physical cosmology
Reference textbook on cosmology, discussing both observational and theoretical issues.
Reported results from the COBE satellite, which was developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to measure the diffuse infrared and microwave radiation from the early universe to the limits set by our astrophysical environment. Measurements by a Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS) confirmed that the cosmic microwave background (CMB) spectrum is that of a nearly perfect black body with a temperature of 2.725 ± 0.002 K. This observation matches the predictions of the hot Big Bang theory extraordinarily well, and indicates that nearly all of the radiant energy of the Universe was released within the first year after the Big Bang. The first paper presents initial results; the second, final results.
Presents results from the Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR) on the COBE satellite. This maps the cosmic radiation and searches for variations in brightness. The CMB was found to have intrinsic "anisotropy" for the first time, at a level of a part in 100,000. These tiny variations in the intensity of the CMB over the sky show how matter and energy was distributed when the Universe was still very young. Later, through a process still poorly understood, the early structures seen by DMR developed into galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the large scale structure that we see in the Universe today. The first paper presents initial results; the second, final results.
Presents results from the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) on the COBE satellite. This searches for the cosmic infrared background radiation produced by the first galaxies. Infrared absolute sky brightness maps in the wavelength range 1.25 to 240 micrometres were obtained to carry out a search for the cosmic infrared background (CIB). The CIB was originally detected in the two longest DIRBE wavelength bands, 140 and 240 micrometres, and in the short-wavelength end of the FIRAS spectrum. Subsequent analyses have yielded detections of the CIB in the near-infrared DIRBE sky maps. The CIB represents a "core sample" of the Universe; it contains the cumulative emissions of stars and galaxies dating back to the epoch when these objects first began to form.

Classical mechanics

See also: Classical mechanics and History of classical mechanics

Classical mechanics is the system of physics begun by Isaac Newton and his contemporaries. It is concerned with the motion of macroscopic objects at speeds well below the speed of light.[5]

  • Classic English translation:   (1914). Mathematical discourses and demonstrations, relating to Two New Sciences. Translation by Henry Crew and Alfonso de Salvio. 
  • Recent English translation:   (1974). Two New sciences, including Centers of gravity & Force of percussion. Translated and compiled by Stillman Drake. Madison: Wisconsin University Press. ISBN 9780299064044. 
A three-volume work, often called Principia or Principia Mathematica. One of the most influential scientific books ever published, it contains the statement of Newton's laws of motion forming the foundation of classical mechanics as well as his law of universal gravitation. He derives Kepler's laws for the motion of the planets (which were first obtained empirically).
Lagrange's masterpiece on mechanics and hydrodynamics. Based largely on the calculus of variations, this work introduced Lagrangian mechanics including the notion of virtual work, generalized coordinates, and the Lagrangian. Lagrange also further developed the principle of least action and introduced the Lagrangian reference frame for fluid flow.
A standard graduate textbook on classical mechanics, considered a good book on the subject.

Fluid dynamics

See also: Fluid dynamics and History of fluid mechanics
Introduces the dimensionless Reynolds number, investigating the critical Reynolds number for transition from laminar to turbulent flow.
Introduces a quantitative theory of turbulence.
The most important review text on turbulence.

Condensed matter physics

See also: Condensed matter physics

Condensed matter physics deals with the physical properties of condensed phases of matter. These properties appear when atoms interact strongly and adhere to each other or are otherwise concentrated.

These three papers develop the BCS theory of usual (not high TC) superconductivity, relating the interaction of electrons and the phonons of a lattice. The authors were awarded the Nobel prize for this work.
It is so old that it still calls condensed matter physics by the out of fashion name of solid state physics, but yet it is still a good introduction to the topic.
Develops theory of a digital computer as an efficient universal computing device.

Plasma physics

See also: Plasma physics
These two volumes from Nobel Prize winning scientist Irving Langmuir, include his early published papers resulting from his experiments with ionized gases (i.e. plasma). The books summarise many of the basic properties of plasmas. Langmuir coined the word plasma in about 1928.
Hannes Alfvén won the Nobel Prize for his development of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) the science that models plasma as fluids. This book lays down the ground work, but also shows that MHD may be inadequate for low-density plasmas such as space plasmas.

Polymer physics

See also: Polymer physics

On Intramolecular Statistics, Particularly for Chain Molecules — Eugene Guth and Herman Mark

Description: This paper contains, among other contributions, the first theoretical description of statistical mechanics of polymers with application to viscosity and rubber elasticity, and an expression for the entropy gain during the coiling of linear flexible molecules.

Importance: Contains the foundation of the kinetic theory of rubber elasticity.

Elastic and Thermodynamic Properties of Rubberlike Materials: A Statistical Theory — Eugene Guth and Hubert M. James

Description: This work was presented earlier by Guth at the American Chemical Society meeting of 1939. The article contains the first outline of the network theory of rubber elasticity. The resulting Guth-James equation of state is analogous to van der Waal's equation.

Importance: Pioneering contribution to polymer physics.

Theory of Elastic Properties of Rubber — Eugene Guth and Hubert M. James

Description: This article presents a more detailed version of the network theory of rubber elasticity. The paper used average forces to some extent instead of thermodynamical functions. In statistical thermodynamics, these two procedures are equivalent.

Importance: Pioneering contribution. After some controversy within the literature, the James-Guth network theory is now generally accepted for larger extensions. See, e.g., Paul Flory's comments in Proc. Royal Soc. A. 351, 351 (1976).

Principles of Polymer Chemistry — Paul J. Flory

Statistical Mechanics of Chain Molecules — Paul J. Flory

Scaling Concepts in Polymer Physics — Pierre-Gilles de Gennes

The Theory of Polymer Dynamics — M. Doi and S. F. Edwards

The Mesoscopic Theory of Polymer Dynamics — V.N. Pokrovskii

Electromagnetism

See also: Electromagnetism and History of electromagnetism
Faraday's law of induction and research in electromagnetism.[6]
The third of James Clerk Maxwell's papers concerned with electromagnetism. The concept of displacement current was introduced, so that it became possible to derive equations of electromagnetic wave. It was the first paper in which Maxwell's equations appeared.
The defining graduate-level introductory text. (First edition 1962)
A standard undergraduate introductory text.
An influential graduate textbook in MRI by some of the principal advancers of the field.

Mathematical physics

See also: Mathematical physics
Contains a proof of Noether's Theorem (expressed as two theorems), showing that any symmetry of the Lagrangian corresponds to a conserved quantity. This result had a profound influence on 20th century theoretical physics.
Ising's 1924 thesis proving the non-existence of phase transitions in the 1-dimensional Ising model.
Peierls' 1936 contour argument proving the existence of phase transitions in higher dimensional Ising models.
Thorough introduction to the mathematical methods of classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum theory and general relativity. Possibly more accessible than Morse and Feshbach.
Proved the existence of phase transitions of continuous symmetry models in at least 3 dimensions.

Nonlinear dynamics and chaos

See also: Chaos theory
A finite system of deterministic nonlinear ordinary differential equations is introduced to represent forced dissipative hydrodynamic flow, simulating simple phenomena in the real atmosphere. All of the solutions are found to be unstable, and most of them nonperiodic, thus forcing to reevaluate the feasibility of long-term weather prediction. In this paper the Lorenz attractor is presented for the first time, and gave the first hint of what is now known as butterfly effect.

Li, Tien-Yien; Yorke, James A. (1975). "Period Three Implies Chaos". The American Mathematical Monthly 82 (10): 985–992. http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9890(197512)82%3A10%3C985%3APTIC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-H. 

Optics

See also: Optics and History of optics
(Arabic: Kitab al-Manazir, Latin: De Aspectibus) – a seven volume treatise on optics and physics, written by the Muslim scientist Ibn al-Haytham (Latinized as Alhacen or Alhazen in Europe), and published in 1021.
Huygens attained a remarkably clear understanding of the principles of wave-propagation; and his exposition of the subject marks an epoch in the treatment of Optical problems. Not appreciated until much later due to the mistaken zeal with which formerly everything that conflicted with the cherished ideas of Newton was denounced by his followers.
Work by Thomas Young and Fresnel provided a comprehensive picture of the propagation of light.
These three papers introduced the Frequency comb technique. The earlier presented the main idea but last is the one often cited.

Particle physics

See also: Particle physics
Standard undergraduate particle physics textbook.

Quantum mechanics

See also: Quantum mechanics and History of quantum mechanics
Introduced Planck's law of black body radiation in an attempt to interpolate between the Rayleigh–Jeans law (which worked at long wavelengths) and Wien's law (which worked at short wavelengths). He found that the above function fit the data for all wavelengths remarkably well. This paper is considered to be the beginning of quantum theory.
Quantum mechanics as explained by one of the founders of the field, Paul Dirac. First edition published on 29 May 1930. The second to last chapter is particularly interesting because of its prediction of the positron.
A how-to for Quantum Mechanics aimed at the physics undergraduate.

Quantum field theory

See also: Quantum field theory and History of quantum field theory
Introduction of the Feynman diagrams approach to quantum electrodynamics.
Standard graduate textbook in quantum field theory.

Relativity

Special

See also: Special theory of relativity and History of special relativity
  • "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies". Translation by George Barker Jeffery and Wilfrid Perrett in The Principle of Relativity, London: Methuen and Company, Ltd. (1923)
  • "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies". Translation by Megh Nad Saha in The Principle of Relativity: Original Papers by A. Einstein and H. Minkowski, University of Calcutta, 1920, pp. 1–34:
Introduced the special theory of relativity. Reconciled Maxwell's equations for electricity and magnetism with the laws of mechanics by introducing major changes to mechanics close to the speed of light. One of the Annus Mirabilis papers.

The Theory of Relativity — Ludwik Silberstein

Description: This pioneering textbook drew together the now well-known developments of H. A. Lorentz, A. Einstein, and H. Minkowski. It uses concepts developed in the then-current textbooks (e.g. Vector Analysis and Bonola: Non-Euclidean Geometry) to provide entry into mathematical physics including a vector-based introduction to quaternions and a primer on matrix notation for linear transformations of 4-vectors. The ten chapters are composed of 4 on kinematics, 3 on quaternion methods, and 3 on electromagnetism. Silberstein uses biquaternions to develop Minkowski space and Lorentz transformations. The second edition published in 1924 extended relativity into gravitation theory with tensor methods, but was superseded by Eddington's text. The book has a conversational style and is provided with references in footnotes.

Importance: Influence

Spacetime Physics — Edwin F. Taylor and John Archibald Wheeler

Description: A modern introduction to special relativity, that explains well how the choice to divide spacetime into a time part and a space part is no different than two choices about how to assign coordinates to the surface of the earth. Suitable for self-study.

Importance: Introduction

General

See also: General theory of relativity and History of general relativity

Die Grundlage der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie (The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity) — Albert Einstein

Importance: Topic creator, Breakthrough, Influence

The Mathematical Theory of Relativity — Arthur Stanley Eddington

Description: This textbook is a tour-de-force of tensor calculus, developed in Chapter II. By page 83 he has deduced the Schwarzschild metric for the domain of events around an isolated massive particle. By page 92 he has explained the advance of the perihelion of the planets, the deflection of light, and displacement of Fraunhofer lines. Electromagnetism is relegated to Chapter VI (pp. 170–195), and later (p. 223) The bifurcation of geometry and electrodynamics. This text, with its ambitious development of pseudo-Riemannian geometry for gravitational theory, set an austere standard with relativity enthusiasts. Gone is any mention of quaternions or hyperbolic geometry since tensor calculus subsumes them. Thus for learning the mechanics of modern relativity this text still serves, but for motivation and context of the special theory, Silberstein is better.

Importance: Influence

Gravitation — Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler

Main article: Gravitation (book)

Description: A book on gravitation (often considered the "Bible" by researchers for its prominence) by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler. Published by W.H. Freeman and Company in 1973. A massive tome of over 1200 pages, the book covers all aspects of the General Theory of Relativity and also considers some extensions and experimental confirmation. The book is divided into two "tracks", the second of which covers more advanced topics.

Importance: Introduction, Influence

Statistical mechanics and Thermodynamics

See also: Thermodynamics, History of thermodynamics, Statistical mechanics, and List of notable textbooks in statistical mechanics
Observations of the generation of heat during the boring of cannons led Rumford to reject the caloric theory and to contend that heat was a form of motion.
  •  ; Thurston, Robert Henry (editor and translator) (1890). Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat and on Machines Fitted to Develop That Power. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.  (full text of 1897 ed.)) (html)
  •  ; E. Clapeyron; R. Clausius (2005). Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire – and other Papers on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Edited with an introduction by E. Mendoza. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-44641-7. 
Between 1876 and 1878 Gibbs wrote a series of papers collectively entitled "On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances", considered one of the greatest achievements in physical science in the 19th century and the foundation of the science of physical chemistry. In these papers Gibbs applied thermodynamics to the interpretation of physicochemical phenomena and showed the explanation and interrelationship of what had been known only as isolated, inexplicable facts. Gibbs' papers on heterogeneous equilibria included: some chemical potential concepts; some free energy concepts; a Gibbsian ensemble ideal (basis of the statistical mechanics field); and a phase rule.
In this publication Einstein covered his study of Brownian motion, and provided empirical evidence for the existence of atoms.
Introduces the Metropolis Monte Carlo method with periodic boundary conditions and applies it to the numerical simulation of a fluid.
Introduces the real space view on the renormalization group, and explains using this concept some relations between the scaling exponents of the Ising model.
Application of the renormalization group to the solution of the Kondo problem. The author was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1982 for this work.
Covers the phenomenological basis of classical thermodynamics itself and also the statistical theory, without assuming the reader already knows statistics or quantum mechanics. Truly an introductory text, you can pick it up after taking advanced calculus and first year general physics and a semester later know about Bose–Einstein condensation, population inversions, and even information theory.

See also

References

  1. ^ European Geosciences Union. "Awards & Medals: Julius Bartels". http://www.egu.eu/awards-medals/awards-and-medals/award/portrait-julius-bartels.html. Retrieved September 2011. 
  2. ^ Akasofu, Syun-Ichi. "The Scientific Legacy of Sydney Chapman". EOS 92 (34): 281–282. 
  3. ^ DeVorkin, David H. (1982). The history of modern astronomy and astrophysics : a selected, annotated bibliogr.. New York: Garland. ISBN 082409283X. 
  4. ^ Voelkel, James R. (2001). The composition of Kepler's Astronomia nova. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 1. ISBN 0-691-00738-1. 
  5. ^ Dugas, René (1988). A history of mechanics. Foreword by Louis de Broglie ; translated into English by J.R. Maddox (Dover ed.). New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-65632-2. 
  6. ^ Bragg, Melvyn (2006). 12 books that changed the world. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0340839812. 
  7. ^ Alberteinstein.info
  8. ^ Physik.uni-augsburg.de (German original)

Further reading

  • Hawking, Stephen, ed (2002). On the shoulders of giants : the great works of physics and astronomy. With commentary by Stephen Hawking. Philadelphia: Running Press. ISBN 9780762413485. 
  • Magie, William Francis (1963). A source book in physics. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0674823655. 
  • Pickover, Clifford A. (2008). Archimedes to Hawking : laws of science and the great minds behind them. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195336115. 
  • Shamos, Morris H., ed (1987). Great experiments in physics : firsthand accounts from Galileo to Einstein (Republication ed.). New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0486253466. 

External links