Physics Today Online FAQ
If you have questions not covered below, please contact us . Due to the large volume of e-mail received, it may take some time to answer your query.
General Questions
- How can I contact the author of an article?
- How do I get permission to reuse Physics Today material?
- What is the circulation/readership of Physics Today magazine?
- How can I buy an article?
- How can I get a copy of an article that is not available online?
- How do I get a back issue of the print magazine?
- Can I send in an article for publication in Physics Today ?
- How do I cite a Physics Today article?
- How frequently do you update the site?
- How large is the archive of Physics Today articles?
- How does Physics Today decide to publish an event in the calander?
- My search has not produced the answer I was looking for.
- How do I submit a death notice?
- How do I submit an obituary?
- How do I submit an image to Back Scatter?
Print Subscriptions
- How do I change my mailing address?
- I did not receive my copy of Physics Today. Who do I contact to get replacement copies?
- My copy of Physics Today was damaged. Who do I contact to get replacement copies?
- How do I get help with my subscription to Physics Today?
Online Access
- I entered my email address/username correctly but the system rejected my account.
- I've forgotten my password, what do I do?
- How do I change my user id/e-mail address?
- How do I change my password?
- I am having difficulty logging in to the site
- Why has Physics Today restricted access to parts of the Web site?
- Is there an additional charge for using the Web site?
- What do I need to register for Physics Today Online?
- Do I have to register?
Why has Physics Today restricted access to parts of the Web site?
Since Physics Today first started putting the full editorial content of the magazine on the Web site, there has been a disclaimer on the homepage that restrictions would soon apply.
Physics Today has a number of goals as the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). They are:
- to support the physics community
- to promote membership of the AIP member societies
- to promote an understanding of physics to interested parties and the general public...
To meet these three goals, AIP has decided to restrict the print editorial content to membership of the AIP member societies and individual print subscribers of Physics Today . Some editorial content such as obituaries, society news, and some highlighted material will continue to be freely accessible each month, along with job openings, the buyers guide and the event calander.
Do I have to register? Is there an additional charge for using the Web site?
Access to job advertisements, the meetings calendar, and selections from the magazine are free of charge to all visitors. Access to the full editorial content is free to members of the societies affiliated with the American Institute of Physics and individual subscribers to Physics Today magazine who register on the Web site. These are the ONLY sections of the site that require registration. However, from time to time, Physics Today may ask you to consider registering for an online survey on the quality of the magazine.
I am having difficulty logging in to the site
Please send an email to help@scitation.org
I entered my email address/username correctly but the system rejected my account
The Physics Today login system is case senstive. Please make sure you are using the correct case in entering your details. If you would like your username emailed to your account, please contact help@scitation.org.
How do I change my user id/e-mail address?
A subscriber can change the email online after logging into the account. Look for the Change Email option in the View My Account page.
How do I change my mailing address?
To change your mailing address, please visit the "Changing Address?" page for society information. Please be able to provide the following information:
- name
- email address registered with either Physics Today or your society (if you are a society member)
- your old mailing address
- your new mailing address
I did not receive my copy of Physics Today. Who do I contact to get replacement copies?
Please send an email to claims@aip.org
My copy of Physics Today was damaged. Who do I contact to get replacement copies?
Please send an email to claims@aip.org
What do I need to register for Physics Today Online?
You will need the e-mail address you used to purchase a subscription or gave to your society membership department to register.
How frequently do you update the site?
The site is updated throughout the month.
How do I cite a Physics Today article?
In the magazine, a citation for a Physics Today article is done on the basis of month, year, page number. For example, PHYSICS TODAY, April 2002, page 27. The URL of the same article on the Web site is http://ptonline.aip.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_55/iss_4/27_2.shtml. The vol_55 refers to volume 55 (2002), iss_4 refers to issue 4 (April), and 27_2 refers to the second article on page 27.
Standardized citations in other publication should use the volume/issue/page number layout used on the Web site, that is, PHYSICS TODAY Vol. 55 issue 4, page 40.
My search has not produced the answer I was looking for. What can I do?
Beginning in January 2007, Physics Today content will be hosted on the Scitation platform. The site has been organized so that the url contains three pieces of information: the volume, issue, and page number. If you know the article you are looking for is in the January 2002 issue on page 27 (volume 55, issue 1, page 27) then the URL would be http://ptonline.aip.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_55/iss_1/27_1.shtml
If the article is free, it will have a “free” icon 
next to the title on the table of contents page
In 2008 we will be adding archival material ranging from 1975 – present .
You can also access the issues directly by going to the past issues page.
How large is the archive of Physics Today articles?
Currently we have material dating from 2000 through the present. Access to the last 5 years of Physics Today is free to personal subscribers.
In 2008 we will be adding archival material ranging from 1975 – present.
You can also access the issues directly by going to the past issues page.
How does Physics Today decide to publish an event in the calendar?
Physics Today staff members monitor and approve events published in the calendar. Organizers from both the commercial and academic sectors are encouraged to post details about their workshops, conferences, and symposiums in the calendar. However, Physics Today reserves the right, at any time, to remove events that do not reflect the standards of the magazine or the physics community.
How can I get a back issue of the print magazine?
Please contact AIP Subscriptions, 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville, NY 11747-4502; fax 516-576-2450; telephone 516-576-2270; e-mail: pt@aip.org during normal US business hours. Issues cost $20 each for members, $23 each for nonmembers. The annual Buyers guide is $25 to both groups.
Click on the PDF button of the article you wish to purchase and select "Quick Article Buy." The site will then move to the Scitation DocumentStore, allowing you to complete your purchase.
For more information on how to order articles visit the Scitation FAQHow can I get a copy of an article that is not available online?
Please contact Infotrieve at http://www.infotrieve.com. Registration is free.
Established document delivery customers who have not used Infotrieve's services on the Web should contact customer service at 800-422-4633 or service@infotrieve.com to set up web access for your account.
Basic Price Information: Cost per Document
Can I send in an article for publication in Physics Today?
If you wish to contribute something for our readers, you may submit a brief proposal. The proposal should include (i) an explanation of why the topic is of general interest, (ii) a brief outline of the article's contents, and (iii) information about yourself (and any possible coauthors; note that no more than three total authors are allowed). Please send your proposal via e-mail to pt@aip.org. Everyone is welcome to send letters for publication to ptletters@aip.org
How do I submit a death notice?
Death notices are a short mention of a person's death, differentiated from an obituary by its brevity. You may submit a death notice by visiting the obituaries section at http://www.physicstoday.org/obits. We will email you when your entry has been approved and posted. Only registered members of the Physics Today web site may submit death notices.
How do I submit an obituary?
Once a death notice has been posted, you may post full length obituaries, comments or reminisces by filling out our online form at http://www.physicstoday.org/obits/add_notice.shtml. We will email you when your entry has been approved and posted. Only registered members of the Physics Today web site may submit obituaries notices.
How can I contact the author of an article?
You can send messages to pt@aip.org . Please make sure to include the author's name in the subject line of your e-mail. It is best to obtain reports or articles referred to in Physics Today from the publisher of the individual report or article.
How do I submit an image to Back Scatter?
You may submit an image for Back Scatter by visiting our site at http://www.physicstoday.org/backscatter.html and following the instructions. If your image is selected by our editors, we will contact you via email.
How do I get permission to reuse Physics Today material?
You may make single copies of articles or departments for private use or for research. Authorization does not extend to systematic or multiple reproduction, to copying for promotional purposes, to electronic storage or distribution (including on the Web), or to republication in any form. In all such cases, you must obtain specific, written permission from the American Institute of Physics. Contact the AIP Rights and Permissions Office, Suite 1NO1, 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville, NY 11747-4502. Or contact the office by fax: (USA) 516-575-2450; telephone: (USA) 516-576-2268; or Email: rights@aip.org .
What is the circulation/readership of Physics Today magazine?
Our readership spans the globe. We can be found in the libraries of most universities and other research institutes. More than 120,000 readers receive Physics Today as a benefit of their membership in one of the 10 member societies of AIP. Individual subscriptions are also available, through which many others with a keen interest in developments within and relating to the physical sciences enjoy Physics Today every month.
Still have questions? E-mail us at pt@aip.org.