Physics & Astronomy
Resources for searching the physics literature
Science Librarian
Key Databases
Begin your search for journal articles with these databases:
- Engineering Village: Inspec ArchiveIndexing database of scientific and technical literature, published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Coverage is extensive in the fields of physics, computing, control, and engineering.
Coverage: 1898-1968 - Web of ScienceA multidisciplinary citation index covering journal articles and conference proceedings in sciences, social sciences, and humanities from 1900 to current. Provides cited reference searching and journal impact factors.
- ScopusA multidisciplinary abstract and citation database with enriched data and linked scholarly literature in science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, and some arts & humanities. Coverage is strongest from 1996 to present.
- arXiv.orgA repository of research articles in physics, mathematics, computer science, and nonlinear sciences.
Related Science Databases
- SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)A bibliographic database covering astronomy, planetary science, and physics.
- Engineering Village: CompendexThe primary database for engineering and covers areas such as engineering physics, materials science, acoustics, and optics.
- Engineering Village: GeoRefCovers the geosciences, including geophysics, geochemistry, extraterrestrial geology, and crystallography.
- INSPIRE-HEPA high-energy physics literature database.
- ProQuest Dissertations and Theses GlobalDissertations and theses in all disciplines from around the world, many with full-text.
- SciTech Connect (1940s-present)Covers energy-related journal articles, conference papers, technical reports, and more. Subject areas include energy, materials, and physics.
Journal & E-Book Collections
Searching the full-text of journal articles can be a useful strategy if you are not getting many results from the databases. Keep in mind that your search will be narrowed to a single publisher's journals.
- AIP ScitationContains content from several publishers including the Acoustical Society of America and the American Institute of Physics.
- Institute of PhysicsIncludes journals such as Astrophysical Journal, Europhysics Letters, and Journal of Physics A-G.
- Optics InfoBaseJournals published by The Optical Society.
- Physical Review Online Archive (PROLA)The American Physical Society's archive for Physical Review Letters, Reviews of Modern Physics, and Physical Review A-E.
- ScienceDirectA multidisciplinary collection of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters published by Elsevier.
- SpringerLinkFull-text journals and e-books on the Springer platform.
- Wiley Online LibraryMultidisciplinary selection of full-text journals and ebooks published by Wiley.