Discover
/
Article

Condensed Matter Physics in a Market Economy

MAY 01, 1992
Knowledge in the field has become o commodity, subject to the some market forces that apply to silicon chips or lasers. The present malaise among researchers is due to an oversupply in a time of decreasing demand.
John M. Rowell

In 1991 I attended my 30th consecutive March meeting of The American Physical Society, held in Cincinnati. This anniversary made me reflect on the changes I have seen in the field since I listened to my first ten‐minute talk in Baltimore in 1962. I believe it was obvious to many in Cincinnati that there is a malaise affecting our field that was not present 30 or even 10 years ago. By “our field,” I mean what is variously called solid‐state physics, condensed matter physics, materials physics and materials science.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. R. E. Gomory, IEEE Spectrum, October 1990, p. 82.

More about the authors

John M. Rowell, Conductus Inc, Sunnyvale, California.

Related content
/
Article
The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.
/
Article
With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.
/
Article
A crude device for quantification shows how diverse aspects of distantly related organisms reflect the interplay of the same underlying physical factors.
/
Article
Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1992_05.jpeg

Volume 45, Number 5

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.