writing physics papers 101
TRANSCRIPT
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
WRITING PHYSICS WRITING PHYSICS PAPERS PAPERS
101101
Publish or Perish
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
reading about physics writingreading about physics writingM. Alley, M. Alley, The craft of scientific writingThe craft of scientific writing, 3, 3rdrd Ed., Ed., Springer New York, 1996.Springer New York, 1996.B. Goss Levi: B. Goss Levi: Some simple rules of writing Some simple rules of writing http://www.research.att.com/kbl/APS/dec97/rules.htmlhttp://www.research.att.com/kbl/APS/dec97/rules.htmlD. D. MerminMermin: : WhatWhat’’s wrong with this prose?s wrong with this prose?PhysicsPhysics TodayToday, May 1989, p.9, May 1989, p.9D. D. MerminMermin, , WhatWhat‘‘ss wrongwrong withwith thesethese equationsequations??PhysicsPhysics TodayToday, , OctoberOctober 1989, p.91989, p.9D. D. MerminMermin: : Writing physicsWriting physicshttp://www.lassp.cornell.edu/~cew2/KnightLecture.htmlhttp://www.lassp.cornell.edu/~cew2/KnightLecture.html
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
OUTLINEOUTLINE
Why are we writing papers?Why are we writing papers?What physics journals there are?What physics journals there are?Structure of a physics articleStructure of a physics articleLaTeXLaTeX 001001Hints for effective writingHints for effective writingSubmit & fightSubmit & fight
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
WHY ARE WE WRITING WHY ARE WE WRITING PAPERS?PAPERS?
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
To communicate our original, interesting, and useful To communicate our original, interesting, and useful researchresearchTo let others know what we are working on (and that we To let others know what we are working on (and that we are working at all)are working at all)To organize our thoughtsTo organize our thoughtsTo formulate our research in a comprehensible wayTo formulate our research in a comprehensible wayTo secure further fundingTo secure further fundingTo further our careersTo further our careersTo make our publication lists look more impressiveTo make our publication lists look more impressiveTo have fun?To have fun?Because we believe someone is going to read it!!!Because we believe someone is going to read it!!!
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
WHAT PHYSICS JOURNALS WHAT PHYSICS JOURNALS ARE THERE?ARE THERE?
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
HardHard--science journalsscience journalsPhysical Reviews seriesPhysical Reviews series
Physical Review APhysical Review Apra.aps.orgpra.aps.orgatomic, molecular, and optical physicsatomic, molecular, and optical physics
Physical Review BPhysical Review Bprprbb.aps.org.aps.orgcondensed matter and materials physicscondensed matter and materials physics
Physical Review CPhysical Review Cprprcc.aps.org.aps.orgnuclear physicsnuclear physics
Physical Review DPhysical Review Dprprdd.aps.org.aps.orgparticles, fields, gravitation and cosmologyparticles, fields, gravitation and cosmology
Physical Review EPhysical Review Eprpree.aps.org.aps.orgstatistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physicsstatistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Physical Review Letters (PRL)Physical Review Letters (PRL)prprll.aps.org.aps.org
breakthroughs in all areasbreakthroughs in all areas
Reviews of Modern PhysicsReviews of Modern Physicsrmprmp..aps.orgaps.org
reviews in all areasreviews in all areas
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Applied Physics SeriesApplied Physics Series
Journal of Journal of AppliedApplied PhysicsPhysicsjap.aipjap.aip.org.org
AppliedApplied PhysicsPhysics LettersLettersapl.aipapl.aip.org.org
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
European Physics Journal SeriesEuropean Physics Journal SeriesEPJ AEPJ Awww.edpsciences.org/epjawww.edpsciences.org/epjahadrons and nucleihadrons and nuclei
EPJ BEPJ Bwww.edpsciences.org/epjabwww.edpsciences.org/epjab
condensed mattercondensed matter
EPJ CEPJ Cwww.edpsciences.org/epjcwww.edpsciences.org/epjc
particles and fieldsparticles and fields
EPJ DEPJ Dwww.edpsciences.org/epjdwww.edpsciences.org/epjd
atoms, molecules, and clustersatoms, molecules, and clusters
EPJ EEPJ Ewww.edpsciences.org/epjewww.edpsciences.org/epje
soft mattersoft matter
EurophysicsEurophysics Letters Letters www.edpsciences.org/eplwww.edpsciences.org/epl
all areas: breakthroughsall areas: breakthroughs
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Nature and ScienceNature and Science
Nature Nature http://http://www.nature.comwww.nature.com
ScienceSciencehttp://http://www.sciencemag.orgwww.sciencemag.org
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
SoftSoft--science journalsscience journalsPhysics Today Physics Today www.physicstoday.orgwww.physicstoday.orgofficial journal of APS, good review articles and official journal of APS, good review articles and reseachreseach newsnewsPhysics WorldPhysics Worldphysicsweb.orgphysicsweb.orgInstitute of Physics, good review articlesInstitute of Physics, good review articlesScientific AmericanScientific Americanwww.sciam.comwww.sciam.compopular science articlespopular science articlesAmerican Journal of American Journal of PhysicsPhysicsojps.aip.orgojps.aip.org//ajpajppedagogicalpedagogical physicsphysics researchresearch articlesarticles
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Impact FactorsImpact Factorshow much is your article worth?how much is your article worth?
Institute Institute forfor ScientificScientific Information (ISI)Information (ISI)isi6.isiknowledge.comisi6.isiknowledge.com
RoughlyRoughly averageaverage citationcitation per per articlearticle
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Nature 30.432Science 28.956Rev. Mod. Phys. 23.672Adv. Phys. 13.952Phys. Rep. 12.645Phys. Rev. Lett. 7.523Nucl. Phys. B 5.409Phys. Today 5.000Phys. Rev. D 4.358Appl. Phys. Lett. 4.207Phys. Rev. B 3.327Phys. Rev. A 2.986Phys. Rev. C 2.848Phys. Rev. E 2.397J. Appl. Phys. 2.281EPJ E 2.188EPJ B 1.741
ISI 2002 impact factors of selectedphysics journals
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
CitationsCitationshowhow muchmuch isis youryour articlearticle reallyreally worthworth??
isi6.isiknowledge.comisi6.isiknowledge.com
SPIRES HEP reference search:www-library.desy.de/spires/hep/
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Preprint ArchivesPreprint Archivesfree, fast, referee freefree, fast, referee free
www.arxiv.orgwww.arxiv.orgxxx.lanl.orgxxx.lanl.org
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
STRUCTURE OF A PHYSICS STRUCTURE OF A PHYSICS ARTICLEARTICLE
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Short lettersShort lettersPRL, APL, rapid communications, PRL, APL, rapid communications, ……
11--4 pages4 pages
TitleTitleAbstractAbstractHomogeneous body includes introduction Homogeneous body includes introduction and acknowledgmentsand acknowledgments00--4 figures4 figuresAt most paragraph titlesAt most paragraph titles
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Regular articlesRegular articles44--500 pages500 pages
TitleTitleAbstractAbstractIntroductionIntroductionBody sectionsBody sectionsConclusions/SummaryConclusions/SummaryAcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsReferencesReferencesAppendicesAppendices
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
TitleTitleinformative, catchy, conciseinformative, catchy, concise
Semicolons?Semicolons?Why not, if it helps, though some consider Why not, if it helps, though some consider
them bad taste.them bad taste.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
AbstractAbstractconcise, direct, informativeconcise, direct, informative
Passive or active voice?Passive or active voice?I prefer passive, though in longer abstracts I prefer passive, though in longer abstracts
an occasional active assertion may be an occasional active assertion may be enlivening. enlivening.
Abstracts are now more important than ever due to the increasing large number ofarticles. One cannot read all the papers in each issue of PRL, not even in ones own field. Abstracts should state major findings, even some specifics (numbers, formulas showing basic trends).
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
examplesexamples
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
IntroductionIntroduction
Give the first impression about the paperGive the first impression about the paperPlace the work into broader contextPlace the work into broader contextRelate to other relevant researchRelate to other relevant researchSay why is the work important, in plain languageSay why is the work important, in plain languageState major achievements/limitationsState major achievements/limitationsState techniques/methodsState techniques/methodsDescribe organization of the paper Describe organization of the paper
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Body of the paperBody of the paper
Describe your findings in an organized, Describe your findings in an organized, structured, and logical waystructured, and logical way
•Think about the organization ahead of actual writing•Create informative headings helping easy orientation
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Conclusions Conclusions
Give your article closureGive your article closureSummary of major resultsSummary of major resultsProspects for future extensionsProspects for future extensionsPossible applications, relevance to otherPossible applications, relevance to otherworks, fieldsworks, fields
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Conclusions exampleConclusions example
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
LaTeXLaTeX 101101
text, equations, figures, tables, referencestext, equations, figures, tables, references
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
LaTexLaTexhttp://www.latexhttp://www.latex--project.orgproject.org//
REVTeXREVTeX 44To To compilecompile Phys. Rev. Style Phys. Rev. Style documentsdocumentshttp://publish.aps.org/revtex4/http://publish.aps.org/revtex4/
TeX archive networkhttp://www.ctan.org/ctan/
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
CompilingCompiling LaTexLaTex
latexlatex paper.texpaper.tex % % compilecompile thethe filefile
bibtexbibtex paper.texpaper.tex % % compilecompile referencesreferences((if.bibif.bib) ) existsexists
latexlatex paper.texpaper.tex % % compilecompile againagain
latexlatex paper.texpaper.tex % compile yet again% compile yet again
dvipsdvips paper.dvipaper.dvi % % createcreate a .a .psps filefile
gvgv paper.pspaper.ps % % viewview thethe ..psps filefile
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
template for PRLtemplate for PRL\documentclass[aps,prl,floatfix,twocolumn,footinbib]{revtex4}\usepackage{epsfig}\begin{document}
\title{Template}\author{Jaroslav Fabian} \affiliation{Institute for Theoretical Physics, Karl-FranzensUniversity, Universit\"atsplatz 5, 8010 Graz, Austria}\author{Albert Newton}\affiliation{Center for extraterrestrial research, Washington DC}\begin{abstract}A LateX template is provided to generate physics papers fast andeasy.\end{abstract}\maketitle
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
inserting figuresinserting figures
\begin{figure}\centerline{\psfig{file=fig.eps, width=1\linewidth}}\caption{Template figure. Put your caption here}\label{fig:1}\end{figure}
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
writing equationswriting equationsTo place equations in line write $s_x=a+b$. Symbol \$ separates the math format.
This is how single equations are written between lines:\begin{equation} \delta s=\int_0^1 \gamma_{2,be}\cosh(w_b/L_{nb})s_{0b}\exp(qV_{be}/k_BT)dq.\end{equation}
This is how multiple equations are written:\begin{eqnarray} \label{eq:2}a&=&\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}, \\b&=&\log(x).\end{eqnarray}
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
sectionssections
\section{\label{sec:Intro} Introduction}In this section …
\section{\label{sec:model} Model}We discuss the model introduced in Sec. \ref{sec:Intro}. The details are shownIn Fig. \ref{fig:1}. Our work is published in Ref. \cite{Newton2000:PRL}.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
referencesreferences\bibliographystyle{apsrev}\bibliography{references}
Separate file reference.bib contains references in the following format:
@Article{Newton2000:PRL,author = “I. Newton",title = “On falling apples",journal= “Phys. Rev. Lett.",volume = “00",year = “2000",pages = “1-5"
}
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
finishfinish
\end{document}
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
HHINTS FOR EFFECTIVE INTS FOR EFFECTIVE WRITINGWRITING
something about stylesomething about style
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
disclaimerdisclaimer
I am not a native English speaker and I am not a creativeI am not a native English speaker and I am not a creative--writingwritingprofessional. Everything that follows should be taken as my bestprofessional. Everything that follows should be taken as my bestattempt to teach my students intricacies and idiosyncrasies ofattempt to teach my students intricacies and idiosyncrasies ofphysics writing, based on my own experiences and on reading inspphysics writing, based on my own experiences and on reading inspiringiringliterature. I claim no responsibility to the damage inflicted onliterature. I claim no responsibility to the damage inflicted onstudents by following my advice too closely and producingstudents by following my advice too closely and producingunintelligible and grammar offensive research articles. Beware ounintelligible and grammar offensive research articles. Beware of myf mygrammar hints. I am especially offensive to the articles (grammar hints. I am especially offensive to the articles (““thethe””, , ““aa””, , ““anan””, and, andthe worst of all, none, the worst of all, none, “…”“…”). I feel absolved by being a Slavic language (read: ). I feel absolved by being a Slavic language (read: articlearticle--free) native speaker. free) native speaker.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 1Hint 1Pick a published paper you like and try to Pick a published paper you like and try to
emulate its structure and styleemulate its structure and style
Learn from eminent physics writers
Some of my favorite physics writings are:
•S. Weinberg: Relativity and Cosmology•Feynman, Leighton, Sands: Feynman Lectures in Physics•Landau and Lifschitz: Course in Theoretical Physics (*)
(*)I would not recommend emulating the style of L&L in research papers, unless you can emulate their physics.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 2Hint 2Understand what you write, be clearUnderstand what you write, be clear
Distance yourself from the writing to see Distance yourself from the writing to see it unbiasedit unbiasedLogic must flowLogic must flowAsk a colleague if in doubt that writing Ask a colleague if in doubt that writing may be incomprehensiblemay be incomprehensibleuseful point: Do not write useful point: Do not write ““The energy increases with pressureThe energy increases with pressure””, but, but““The energy increases with increasing pressureThe energy increases with increasing pressure””, to be clear, since one can , to be clear, since one can often mean the opposite (often mean the opposite (““At low fields the rate decreasesAt low fields the rate decreases”” can mean that can mean that the rate increases with the rate increases with decreasing decreasing fields, but one never knows.)fields, but one never knows.)
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 3Hint 3structuring into ideasstructuring into ideas
==structuring into paragraphsstructuring into paragraphs
Place clue sentences in the beginningPlace clue sentences in the beginningRead the paragraph and rewrite it if the Read the paragraph and rewrite it if the logic does not flowlogic does not flow
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 4Hint 4Write in active voiceWrite in active voice
I I showshow thatthat thethe processprocess occursoccursThese These resultsresults showshow thatthat ......(NO: (NO: ItIt isis shownshown byby thesethese resultsresults thatthat ...)...)
Be concise, precise, and directBe concise, precise, and directStay focusedStay focused
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 5Hint 5Be consistentBe consistent
If there is an allowed ambiguity, stick to If there is an allowed ambiguity, stick to your choice throughout the paper:your choice throughout the paper:
For example: For example: ““We take five configurationsWe take five configurationsfor the for the macrostatemacrostate. Each microstate is defined by . Each microstate is defined by …”…”Either pick microstate or configuration, some may get Either pick microstate or configuration, some may get confused. Similarly with grammar. For example, if you confused. Similarly with grammar. For example, if you describe an experiment in the past sense, do not switch describe an experiment in the past sense, do not switch randomly to the present one.randomly to the present one.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 6Hint 6No offenseNo offense
Avoid if possible words likeAvoid if possible words like
ClearlyClearlyObviouslyObviouslyAs is well knownAs is well knownOf courseOf course
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 7Hint 7Read the guidelinesRead the guidelines
Early in your professional life read the Early in your professional life read the guidelines for authors to the journal you guidelines for authors to the journal you write for. Adhere to the most relevant write for. Adhere to the most relevant points in future writings. points in future writings.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 8Hint 8Do not overdo Do not overdo
FootnotesFootnotesInIn--line equationsline equationsReferencesReferencesFiguresFiguresLatin phrasesLatin phrasesAcronymsAcronyms
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 9Hint 9referringreferring
Include only equations, figures, tables, and Include only equations, figures, tables, and references that you refer to references that you refer to Carefully define every term in equationsCarefully define every term in equationsDefine all the lines and symbols in figuresDefine all the lines and symbols in figuresEach figure and table comes with a captionEach figure and table comes with a captionNumber all equations Number all equations All nontrivial statements should be explained or All nontrivial statements should be explained or referencedreferenced
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hint 10Hint 10Revise 5Revise 5--10 times10 times
Spell checkSpell checkGrammar checkGrammar checkCheck for flowCheck for flowShortenShortenGive the paper to a colleague for opinionGive the paper to a colleague for opinionStop revising after a revision eliminates a Stop revising after a revision eliminates a previous revision, or if you are revising 10previous revision, or if you are revising 10thth
time. There is little chance you will improve time. There is little chance you will improve anything. anything.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Final hintFinal hint
An average paper is cited perhaps 4 times, and read An average paper is cited perhaps 4 times, and read perhaps 7 (4 plus 2 referees plus 1 random reader) perhaps 7 (4 plus 2 referees plus 1 random reader) times.times. You need to balance your time. I know of terribly You need to balance your time. I know of terribly written articles that are cited 500 and more times. In written articles that are cited 500 and more times. In the end, it is the idea that you present, and not the the end, it is the idea that you present, and not the form of the presentation, that will be remembered.form of the presentation, that will be remembered.
Do not put too much emphasis on writing. It is a tool to communicate your research, no less and no more.
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Single authors:Single authors:I or we?I or we?
I preferI prefer I I when addressing work done by when addressing work done by myself: myself:
I show that I show that ……
Using Using wewe is more formal and is more formal and authoritative; it diffuses responsibilityauthoritative; it diffuses responsibilityThere can still be There can still be wewe, if inviting the , if inviting the reader to join the discussion: reader to join the discussion:
If we substitute A for BIf we substitute A for Boror
If one substitutes A for BIf one substitutes A for B
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Hints for effective writingHints for effective writingàà la Barbara Goss Levila Barbara Goss Levi ((**))
((**) ) http://www.research.att.com/kbl/APS/dec97/rules.htmlhttp://www.research.att.com/kbl/APS/dec97/rules.html
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
1.1. Practice writing short summaries of Practice writing short summaries of longer articles longer articles ((get the message out)get the message out)
2.2. Combine writing with inspiring readiCombine writing with inspiring readingng(emulate the style of your favorite writing)(emulate the style of your favorite writing)
3.3. Get rid of superfluous wordsGet rid of superfluous words(there is (there is ……, the fact that ...), the fact that ...)
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
4.4. Rewrite if it is not clearRewrite if it is not clear5.5. Define your termsDefine your terms6.6. Good writing is clear thinkingGood writing is clear thinking
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
SUBMIT & FIGHT SUBMIT & FIGHT
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Submission letterSubmission letterDearDear Editor,Editor,
WeWe submitsubmit a a manuscriptmanuscript entitledentitled „„FallingFalling catscats withwith jellyjelly on on thethe back: back: stablestable equilibriumequilibrium versusversusinstinctinstinct““, , byby E.E. SchroedingerSchroedinger and A. Einstein, and A. Einstein, forfor publicationpublication in in PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters. . TheThe manuscriptmanuscript considersconsiders thethe importantimportant problemproblem of of catscats withwith a a jellyjelly spreadspread on on theirtheir back. back. TheThecatscats areare leftleft to fall to fall freefree fromfrom a a heightheight of at least 50 cm, and of at least 50 cm, and observedobserved in in theirtheir fall. fall. WeWe havehavediscovereddiscovered thatthat catscats do do notnot fall. fall. InsteadInstead, , theythey hoverhover indefinitelyindefinitely. . OurOur conclusionsconclusions havehave far far reachingreaching consequencesconsequences forfor bothboth physicsphysics and and biologybiology. . WeWe areare nownow ponderingpondering aboutabout whatwhat happenshappensto to thethe catscats whenwhen theythey areare entangledentangled..TheThe importanceimportance of of ourour workwork as well as far as well as far reachingreaching consequencesconsequences of of ourour discoverydiscovery justifyjustify ourourmanuscriptmanuscript to to bebe consideredconsidered forfor publicationpublication in in PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters. . BelowBelow wewe suggestsuggestphysicistsphysicists whowho shouldshould bebe qualifiedqualified to to refereereferee ourour workwork..
SincerelySincerely,,E. E. ShroedingerShroedingerA. EinsteinA. Einstein
SuggestedSuggested refereesreferees: N. Bohr (: N. Bohr (CopenhagenCopenhagen), L. ), L. BoltzmannBoltzmann (Graz), L. Landau ((Graz), L. Landau (CharkovCharkov))
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Referee reportsReferee reportsRe: Re: FallingFalling catscats withwith jellyjelly ......ByBy: E. : E. SchroedingerSchroedinger and A. Einsteinand A. Einstein
DearDear Dr. Dr. SchroedingerSchroedinger: :
TheThe aboveabove manuscriptmanuscript has has beenbeen reviewedreviewed byby ourour referee(sreferee(s). On ). On thethe basisbasis of of thetheenclosedenclosed critiquecritique, , wewe judgejudge thatthat thethe workwork doesdoes notnot meetmeet thethe specialspecial criteriacriteria of of importanceimportance and and broadbroad interestinterest requiredrequired forfor PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters. . WeWe alsoalso wishwish to to emphasizeemphasize thatthat wewe taketake strongstrong stancestance on on thethe animalanimal rightsrights issueissue and and wewe do do notnotendorseendorse experimentingexperimenting withwith live live animalsanimals, , withwith ourour withoutwithout jellyjelly on on theirtheir backsbacks..
YoursYours sincerelysincerely,,
E. RutherfordE. RutherfordSenior EditorSenior Editor
enclencl. Referee . Referee reportsreports
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Referee AReferee A
ThisThis paperpaper presentspresents an experimental an experimental treatmenttreatment ofof combinedcombinedeffectseffects of of mechanicalmechanical rotation and rotation and animalanimal instinctsinstincts. . TheThe treatmenttreatmentisis soundsound, , butbut cruelcruel. I . I questionquestion thethe conclusionsconclusions of of thethe manuscriptmanuscript on on thethe basisbasis thatthat thethe authorsauthors usedused onlyonly 1 1 catcat whichwhich mustmust havehave feltfeltdepresseddepressed aboutabout beingbeing thrownthrown repeatedlyrepeatedly fromfrom thethe PhysicsPhysicsDepartment Department windowswindows. As . As isis knownknown fromfrom thethe workwork of C. Darwin, of C. Darwin, depresseddepressed catscats tendtend to to hoverhover in in thethe airair. . TheThe authorsauthors havehave failedfailed to to separate separate thethe effectseffects of of depressiondepression fromfrom thosethose of of mechanicalmechanicalrotation and rotation and biologicalbiological instinctsinstincts. . ThereforeTherefore I do I do notnot recommendrecommendthethe paperpaper forfor publicationpublication in in PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters in in thethe presentpresentform, form, althoughalthough thethe subjectsubject itselfitself isis of of greatgreat importanceimportance..
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Referee BReferee B
TheThe groupgroup of E. of E. SchroedingerSchroedinger publishespublishes reliablereliable and and interestinginterestingresultsresults ((thoughthough I I havehave somesome doubtsdoubts aboutabout Dr. Einstein Dr. Einstein whowho tendstends to to bebe off at off at timestimes). ). TheThe paperpaper isis well well writtenwritten, , thethe resultsresults clearlyclearlystatedstated. . TheThe subjectsubject isis definitelydefinitely of of broadbroad interestinterest, as I , as I havehavemyselfmyself ponderedpondered aboutabout such such thingsthings. . TheThe onlyonly questionquestion I I havehave isiswhetherwhether thethe workwork isis suitablesuitable forfor PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters, , oror shouldshouldbebe publishedpublished in in thethe „„American Journal of American Journal of FallingFalling CatsCats““? I ? I optopt forforthethe latterlatter. .
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Resubmission letterResubmission letterDearDear Editor,Editor,
WeWe resubmitresubmit ourour mansucriptmansucript entitledentitled „„FallingFalling catscats withwith jellyjelly on on thethe back: back: stablestableequilbriumequilbrium versusversus instinctinstinct““, , byby E: E: SchroedingerSchroedinger and A. Einstein, and A. Einstein, forfor publicationpublication in in PhysicalPhysical ReviewReview LettersLetters. . WeWe considerconsider thethe criticismcriticism of of thethe refereesreferees wellwell meantmeant, and in , and in factfact supportingsupportingpublicationpublication in in youryour journaljournal. Referee A . Referee A sayssays „„TheThe treatmenttreatment isis soundsound......““ and and „„......isis of of greatgreat importanceimportance..““ Referee B Referee B claimsclaims thatthat thethe paperpaper isis well well writtenwritten and of and of broadbroadinterestinterest. . WeWe addressaddress thethe fewfew minorminor criticalcritical pointspoints in in thethe enclosedenclosed responseresponse to to thetherefereesreferees..SinceSince wewe havehave addressedaddressed ALL ALL thethe refereereferee commentscomments, and , and sincesince thethe commentscommentsthemselvesthemselves cancan bebe interpretedinterpreted as positive, as positive, wewe stronglystrongly requestrequest thatthat youyou publishpublish ourourmanuscriptmanuscript withoutwithout furtherfurther delaydelay..
SincerelySincerely,,E. E. ShroedingerShroedingerA. EinsteinA. Einstein
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Response to Response to thethe refereesrefereesResponse to Response to refereereferee A: A: WeWe thankthank thethe refereereferee forfor his his oror her her thoughtfulthoughtful commentscommentsand and forfor carefullycarefully readingreading ourour manuscriptmanuscript. . WeWe werewere notnot awareaware of of thethe importantimportantresearchresearch of C. Darwin on of C. Darwin on fallingfalling depresseddepressed catscats. . TakingTaking intointo considerationconsideration thatthat ourourcatcat couldcould havehave indeedindeed beenbeen depresseddepressed byby bothboth fallingfalling down so down so oftenoften and and havinghaving jellyjellyon on thethe back, and so back, and so notnot wantingwanting to to reallyreally fall down, fall down, wewe havehave putput thethe catcat on on an an antidepressantantidepressant ((WhiskasWhiskas ProzacProzac) and ) and letlet itit fall fall severalseveral timestimes againagain. . WeWe areare happyhappy to to reportreport thatthat ourour original original resultsresults staystay unchangedunchanged. . UnfortunatelyUnfortunately, , thethe poorpoor catcat has has dieddied. . ProbablyProbably from an overdose offrom an overdose of ProzacProzac..
Response to Response to refereereferee B: B: WeWe appreciateappreciate thethe refereereferee‘‘ss well well thoughtthought commentscomments and and forforsuggestingsuggesting an alternative an alternative journaljournal forfor ourour manuscriptmanuscript. . WeWe havehave lookedlooked at at severalseveralrecentrecent issuesissues ofof AJFC to AJFC to seesee ifif indeedindeed thisthis wouldwould bebe thethe appropriateappropriate placeplace forfor ourourcatcat. . UnfortunatelyUnfortunately, AJFC , AJFC seemsseems to to publishpublish onlyonly veryvery technicaltechnical paperspapers on on thethesubjectsubject, , withwith littlelittle emphasisemphasis on on thethe physicsphysics involvedinvolved. . WeWe stronglystrongly believebelieve thatthat PRL PRL isisthethe mostmost suitablesuitable journaljournal forfor publishingpublishing ourour workwork..
J. F. Presentation of Scientific ResultsJ. F. Presentation of Scientific Results
Acceptance (rejection) letterAcceptance (rejection) letter
Re: Re: FallingFalling catscats withwith jellyjelly ......ByBy: E. : E. SchroedingerSchroedinger and A. Einsteinand A. Einstein
DearDear Dr. Dr. SchroedingerSchroedinger: :
WeWe areare pleasedpleased to to informinform youyou thatthat thethe aboveabove manuscriptmanuscript has has beenbeenacceptedaccepted forfor publicationpublication. . YouYou areare requestedrequested to to makemake a a paymentpayment of of $1000$1000towardtoward thethe costcost of of disseminatingdisseminating youryour researchresearch results. results.
YoursYours sincerelysincerely,,
E. RutherfordE. RutherfordSenior EditorSenior Editor