June 1996 Physics Today Contents


Articles:

Build the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor?

No -- Andrew Sessler and Thomas Stix
Yes -- Marshall Rosenbluth
A centerpiece of almost any discussion about the future of magnetic fusion is the proposed International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Three experts present cases for and against continuation of the ITER project.
     ** On-line version of article
     ** ITER -- San Diego Joint Work Site
     ** ITER -- US Home Team

Carbon Nanotubes

Seamless cylindrical shells of graphitic carbon have novel mechanical and electronic properties that suggest new high-strength fibers, submicroscopic test tubes and, perhaps, new semiconductor materials -- Thomas W. Ebbesen

Correlated Electrons in a Million Gauss

Researchers are planning experiments using million-gauss magnets to investigate many of the most intriguing phenomena in condensed matter physics -- Greg Boebinger


Departments:

Search and Discovery

Evidence accumulates for unusual behavior in underdoped high-Tc superconductors. The energy gap that conventionally heralds the onset of a superconducting state has been seen in materials well above the temperatures at which they actually become superconducting.

Helix nebula displays hundreds of gaseous knots
     ** Images on-line
     ** Results in more detail

Washington Reports

After seven months of haggling, Clinton and Congress settle budget, with science better off than feared

Nuclear club agrees on test ban but China holds to Big Bang theory

UNESCO's Mayor, subject of criticism by news media, finds US still reluctant to rejoin embattled agency

Physics Community

Are scientists ready for prime time?

Fewer bachelor's degrees in 1994

AAS elects new vice president

The earning power of physics training

Briefs:
     ** APS's CareerPlus
     ** AAAS has relocated
     ** Nine Steps to Achieving Gender Equity in Science Classrooms
     ** Union of Concerned Scientists wants to stem the tide of "junk science"

Books

Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics, R. L. Sime (reviewed by F. Ajzenberg-Selove)

Gravitation and Inertia, I. Ciufolini and J. A. Wheeler (reviewed by E. L. Schucking)

Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Fields, S. L. Adler (reviewed by D. R. Finkelstein)
      ** Quaternionic QM web site

Radiogenic Isotope Geology, A. P. Dickin (reviewed by R. Muller)

Introduction to Nonlinear Science, G. Nicolis (reviewed by H. L. Frisch)

Observational Astrophysics, R. C. Smith (reviewed by M. Bolte)

Plus...

The 1995 Annual Report of the American Institute of Physics.

And our regular sections: Physics Update, Letters, New Products, We Hear That, and Information Exchange.


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