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Four materials scientists are
among the world's most cited

Four Argonne researchers have been named among the 98 most highly cited physicists in the world over the period 1981-1999.

George Crabtree, David Hinks, James Jorgensen and Valerii Vinokur of Argonne's Materials Science Division (MSD) were listed by the Institute for Scientific Information, which analyzed citation data for more than 19 million articles.

Citations in a scholarly article show the sources of ideas that stimulated its research and theory. Compiling citations in an index enables tracking of scientific trends through time.

The researchers' work covers a wide spectrum, and they say being based in the same building, where they often talk science and stimulate each other's research, is a strong plus. This vigorous exchange of ideas, a special strength of MSD and Argonne, enables the innovative research that pushes the scientific frontier and generates substantial numbers of citations.

"MSD has worked for many years to create a dynamic research environment which encourages strong interaction among scientists and creative new research directions," said Murray Gibson, former MSD division director. Gibson is now associate laboratory director for the Advanced Photon Source. "The inclusion of four scientists from this division on the highly-cited list testifies to the power of this approach and reflects the high standards of MSD and Argonne."

Argonne's entry of four researchers tops all other national labs on the list. Seventy of the physicists listed are from the United States; Switzerland is second with six, followed by Germany with four and France with three.

Programs in nanoscience and nanotechnology offer perhaps the richest opportunities for exploring new worlds. "At those tiny length scales, materials don't follow traditional rules," said Vinokur, a theorist with wide interests in condensed matter physics. "The environment we have in MSD and Argonne is ideal for driving the best work."

An example of this is Argonne's new research establishment, the Materials Theory Institute, which Vinokur directs. The institute encourages high-level theory collaboration to many of Argonne's programs. It was described by current MSD Director Crabtree as "a powerful new concept for doing theory at Argonne and the other national laboratories" that invites international theorists for short stays to focus on the most exciting current topics in the field.

"The most exciting thing is the thrill of a new discovery," Crabtree said.