Chief Editor of Physical Review B Talks Innovation in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

Every week, Physical Review B publishes around 100 papers presenting original research in condensed matter and materials physics, making it the largest journal in the world dedicated to this field. We talked with Sarma Kancharla, who took the helm as Physical Review B’s chief editor in April, about the journal’s efforts to support this research community through global outreach and accountability initiatives.

What makes condensed matter and materials physics research so important?

The journal primarily covers fundamental research that deepens our knowledge of different classes of materials — their structures and properties, how they behave, and how they could be manipulated.

Although largely curiosity-driven, it’s common for this research to have high technological impact. One memorable example is the discovery of the giant magnetoresistance effect in the late 1980s, which was published in Physical Review B and Physical Review Letters. It helped revolutionize how computer hard disk drives were made within just a few years.

We have yet to solve older, fundamental problems like high-temperature superconductivity, but researchers are discovering superconductivity and exotic topological phenomena in a host of engineered structures and materials. The field stays vibrant both by tackling old challenges and opening new frontiers.

Before you joined Physical Review B in 2007, you were a researcher. What did you study?

I studied strongly correlated systems — materials whose electrons interact strongly to produce collective electronic and magnetic phenomena, like magnetism and superconductivity. I was primarily investigating Mott insulators, which can transition to superconductors when their electron interactions, dimensionality, and density of charge carriers are altered in certain ways. I became interested in superconductivity early on with support from some incredible teachers and mentors in Bombay [now Mumbai], where I began my postgraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology. My doctoral studies at Rutgers nurtured my curiosity in areas well beyond my own research. My work in the field continued through postdoctoral stints at Université de Sherbrooke in Canada and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee.

What made you want to become an editor?

Throughout my research career, I read papers and took courses outside of my specialty. I came to appreciate differences in how science is conducted across subfields — their distinct cultures, techniques, and grand challenges. This helped me develop the skills needed to become an editor of a journal like Physical Review B, where I’m constantly reorienting myself to evaluate each paper’s impact in its respective field.

The journal receives many submissions. How does this factor into your editorial approach?

Our team consists of 17 editors who work with thousands of active referees. One of my tasks is to examine the editorial workflow and ensure that the peer review process is efficient, high-quality, and fair to authors. Our editorial board provides oversight by handling appeals from authors that are dissatisfied with the rejection of a paper. We’ve also recently revamped how we choose papers for Editors’ Suggestions — designations for publications of particular interest to referees and editors — so that a rotating roster of editors can spend more time with potential candidates.

The journal has a broad geographic footprint as well. Last year, Physical Review B publications from China overtook those from the United States. To that end, we aim to ensure that our editors and editorial board reflect the geographic diversity of our authors, readers, and referees. Our editorial board includes researchers from 14 countries, and we recently added two new board members from China and India. We hope more will follow.

As the journal’s new chief editor, what initiatives are you most excited about?

A few months ago, we introduced the Early Career Advisory Board (ECAB), an international focus group of researchers at the assistant professor level appointed through editorial board recommendations. ECAB members serve two-year terms, advising editors on ways to better support the research community. We hope their perspectives will help us stay receptive to community needs, especially of those who are early in their career.

Relatedly, we recently instituted the Referee Excellence Award, which aims to recognize early-career scientists from across the world who have devoted their time to providing excellent reviews at critical junctures in their careers.

I’m also looking forward to connecting with students and researchers from around the world, both in person and virtually, who are interested in submitting to or becoming referees for Physical Review B. I’ve enjoyed making connections at international conferences and institutions in my editorial role, and I look forward to deepening these relationships as the journal’s chief editor.