Features
Boost-Phase Defense Against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles 
An American Physical Society study concludes that disabling ICBMs before they release their munitions would be challenging and, in some cases, impractical — Daniel Kleppner, Frederick K. Lamb, and David E. Mosher
Promoting Physics and Development in Africa
To advance economically and technologically, many African nations need to simultaneously develop a culture of physics and a supporting infrastructure — Edmund Zingu
Localizing Energy Through Nonlinearity and Discreteness
Intrinsic localized modes have been theoretical constructs for more than a decade. Only recently have they been observed in physical systems as distinct as charge-transfer solids, Josephson junctions, photonic structures, and micromechanical oscillator arrays — David K. Campbell, Sergej Flach, and Yuri S. Kivshar
Web Departments
Readings from the Physics Today Archive
Departments
Reference Frame
Analysis and Synthesis IV: Limits and Supplements — Frank Wilczek Letters
Experiments Trump Precise Definitions for Teaching Science to Middle-School Students
A Reader Inquires: Origin of 'Critical Mass'
Author, Reviewer Play Ball
Next-Generation Discriminating Reader
Corrections
Search & Discovery
Researchers Achieve Lasing From a Single Trapped Atom
By combining laser cooling with cavity quantum electrodynamics, researchers have created a laser that works through repeated emission from a single atom.
Light as a Feather: Structural Elements Give Peacock Plumes Their Color
The varied and striking colors of Pavo muticus males arise from differences in the details of nanoscale photonic lattices.
Isotopic Analysis of Teeth and Bones Solves a Mesoamerican Mystery
Natural variations in isotope ratios show up in tooth enamel and can reveal where a person--even an ancient Maya king--spent his earliest years.
Issues & Events
NASA Decision Could Break Mauna Kea Outrigger Impasse
Astronomers in Hawaii and beyond hope that NASA's environmental impact statement will be a first step toward improving relations with opponents of new telescopes on Mauna Kea--and will bode well for astronomy's future in Hawaii.
DOE Unveils 20-Year Priority List for Developing 28 Research Facilities
The US Department of Energy's Office of Science required that each proposed facility have a projected cost of at least $50 million, and then assessed each based on the importance of the science it addresses and its readiness to move forward.
Managing Science at the CIA
Donald Kerr has been involved in many scientific endeavours--from studying plasma physics to managing a network of forensics laboratories. Now, he faces the daily challenge of keeping the Central Intelligence Agency's technology one step ahead of the US's adversaries.
Centers Strengthen Ties Between Lab Experiments and Astrophysics
Commonalities between plasma behavior in lab experiments and astrophysical objects are what scientists plan to explore and exploit with the Center for Magnetic Self-Organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas, while the nuclear reactions that power stellar processes are the focus of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics (JINA).
News Notes
Cosmic Vision contracts; Telescope time for sale; New CTIO chief
Web Watch
Advanced Physics Forums; Physics Textbook Errata; Nanomedicine Art Gallery
Books
Responsible Conduct of Research, Adil E. Shamoo and David B. Resnik (reviewed by Myriam P. Sarachik)
The National Labs: Science in an American System, 1947-1974, 1947-1974, Peter J. Westwick (reviewed by Lillian Hoddeson)
The Physics of Interstellar Dust, Endrik Krügel (reviewed by Edward L. Wright)
High Resolution Focused Ion Beams: FIB and Its Applications, Jon Orloff, Mark Utlaut, and Lynwood Swanson (reviewed by Alfred Wagner)
New Books
New Products
Focus on Data Acquisition
We Hear That
President Presents National Medals of Science, Medals of Technology
SoR Honors Marrucci and Others
ASA Awards Presented in Austin
IOP Bestows Awards
Aspnes Set to Be Next President of AVS
Van Stryland Is OSA Vice President for 2004
In Brief
Obituaries
Alexander Rawson Stokes
Albert Roach Hibbs
Walter Lewis Hyde
Subramanian Raman
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