Aims and scope

　　SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy (Sci. China- Phys. Mech. Astron.) is a monthly peer-reviewed academic journal supervised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and cosponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its primary mission is to encourage communication of basic and innovative research results of high quality and broad interest in the fields of physics, mechanics and astronomy.

　　The subject areas featured include but not limited to condensed matter physics, optical physics, quantum physics, particle accelerator, high-energy physics, nuclear physics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, astrophysics, and interdisciplinary areas, etc.

　　Contributions are invited from researchers all over the world.

　　Article types

　　Papers published in Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. include:

　　Editor’s Focus Papers present highly original and innovative material together with the Editor-in-Chief’s and experts’ comments on their significance and novelty.

　　Review articles summarize representative results and achievements in a particular topic or an area, comment on the current situation, and advise on the research directions. They should focus on one topical aspect rather than providing a comprehensive literature survey. Review paper should closely relate to, but not only focus on the author’s own research work. Reviews are suggested to be limited to 20000 words.

　　Articles report on important original results in all areas of physics, mechanics and astronomy. Other supporting information should usually be included in supplementary materials that will only be published online. Articles are suggested to be limited to 8000 words, including a 300-word abstract and 4-6 keywords.

　　Progress articles introduce and comment on the substantial advancement and its importance in the fast-developing fields. Progress articles are expected to be within 5000 words and less than 60 references.

　　Short Communications present short reports in a timely manner of the latest important results. Short Communications are expected to be less than 1000 words with 1 displayed item and less than 10 references. Abstract and keywords are not needed. Any other supporting information (if necessary) should be submitted as supplementary materials.

　　News & Views cover original viewpoints about major scientific discoveries, research policies and other scientific events. News & Views are generally solicited and are expected to have no more than 1000 words with 1 displayed item and a maximum 10 references.

　　Research Highlights are succinct summaries and comments on a recent research achievement published in Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. and other journals. Highlights should be limited to 500 words with 1 displayed item and less than 5 references.

　　Letters to the Editor report novel findings that have an immediate major impact on the related sciences research, or comment on a recent publication in Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. within the previous three months. Letters to the Editor are generally within 500 words with less than 5 references.

　　Reviewing policy

　　All submissions will be reviewed by referees selected by the editorial board. The decision of acceptance or rejection of a manuscript is made by the editorial board based on the referees’ reports. The entire review process may take 30 to 60 days, and the editorial office will inform the author of the decision as soon as the process is completed. If the editorial board fails to make a decision within 60 days, it is up to the authors to decide whether they would withdraw their paper or submit it elsewhere.

　　This journal also publishes special/guest-edited issues. The peer review process for these articles is the same as the peer review process of the journal in general. Additionally, if the guest editor(s) authors an article in their special issue, they will not handle the peer review process.

　　Open Access policy

　　Open Choice allows you to publish open access in this journal, making your research more visible and accessible immediately on publication. Article processing charges (APCs) vary by journal – view the full list

　　Copyright and license term-CC BY

　　Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under the Creative Commons Attribution License. When you choose Open Choice, the Editorial Office will provide you the DOI of the article as well as the OA License Agreement to sign.

　　The author should fill in the Manual Open Choice Order form (www.springer.com/manualopenchoiceorder) and remit payment/send cheques according to the invoice the author will receive later.

　　Publication Charge

　　Article processing charges are 800 RMB for each page in black and white and 800-1000 RMB for each color page. An invoice for the charge will be sent to the corresponding author by the Editorial Office. Authors will be presented one sample copy. If more sample copies (240 RMB) and paper offprints (30 RMB, at least 10 copies of printed) are needed, please inform the managing editor before printing and indicate clearly the types and numbers.

　　Copyright

　　A completed form assigning copyright to Science China Press must be returned to the Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. office when the paper is accepted for publication. The copyright covers the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the article (in various languages), including offprints and reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online) or other reproductions of similar nature.

　　Language

　　Manuscripts that are accepted for publication will be checked by our copyeditors for spelling and formal style. This may not be sufficient if English is not your native language and substantial editing would be required. In that case, you may want to ask a native speaker to help you or arrange for your manuscript to be checked by a professional language editor prior to submission. A clear and concise language will help editors and reviewers concentrate on the scientific content of your paper and thus smooth the peer review process. Use of an editing service is neither a requirement nor a guarantee of acceptance for publication.