Discover

Share

Download

Features

/

Article

Twenty years of physics: The nucleus

MAY 01, 1968

DOI: 10.1063/1.3034962

D. Allan Bromley

NUCLEAR PHYSICS emerged from the war years in the 1940’s as a field rich in applications but pitifully weak in fundamental understanding. In the next two decades, building on the impetus and insight achieved in the crash program of the 1940’s, major progress has been made both in understanding and in application. The rich canvas of nuclear phenomena has been sketched in, and exquisite detail has emerged in many areas. Many other areas remain blank and await exploration and exploitation; indeed it has been necessary, repeatedly, to extend the boundaries of the canvas itself. Nuclear physics remains in the frontiers of man’s understanding of his universe. To a unique degree it has also forced significant changes in contemporary society and civilization.

This article is only available in PDF format

More about the Authors

D. Allan Bromley. Wright Nuclear Structure Lab..

© 1968 American Institute of Physics

Related content

Features

/

Article

Superconducting quantum circuits: At the heart of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.

November 25, 2025 03:04 PM

Features

/

Article

Solid-state batteries: Hype, hopes, and hurdles

As conventional lithium-ion battery technology approaches its theoretical limits, researchers are studying alternative architectures with solid electrolytes.

November 10, 2025 10:22 AM

Features

/

Article

Teaching nanostructures to build themselves

Bottom-up self-assembly is a powerful approach to engineering at small scales. Special strategies are needed to formulate components that assemble into predetermined shapes with precise sizes.

November 05, 2025 11:29 AM

Features

/

Article

Remembering Richard Garwin, physicist and science adviser

The polymath scientist leaves behind a monumental legacy in both the scientific and political realms.

November 04, 2025 09:53 AM

This Content Appeared In

Volume 21, Number 5

Get PT in your inbox

Physics Today - The Week in Physics

The Week in Physics" is likely a reference to the regular updates or summaries of new physics research, such as those found in publications like Physics Today from AIP Publishing or on news aggregators like Phys.org.

Physics Today - Table of Contents

Physics Today - Whitepapers & Webinars