Let's delve into the intriguing story of John Bell and his groundbreaking theorem, which has left an indelible mark on the field of quantum mechanics. But what's even more fascinating is the obscure journal that published this seminal work, a journal that has since faded into obscurity.
The Enigma of John Bell's Theorem
John Bell's theorem is a cornerstone in quantum mechanics, yet its publication in an obscure journal called “Physics” raises intriguing questions. This journal, with its short-lived existence from 1964 to 1968, seems an unlikely platform for such a significant discovery.
The story begins with the famous EPR thought experiment in 1935, designed by Einstein, Podolski, and Rosen to challenge the completeness of quantum mechanics. It introduced the concept of non-local influences affecting spatially separated particles, a notion that some physicists tried to explain away with “hidden variables.”
Enter John Bell, who, while working at CERN in 1964, proved that local hidden-variable theories were incompatible with quantum mechanics. This result, now known as Bell's theorem, was published in “Physics”, a journal set up by two physicists from Bell Laboratories who were dissatisfied with traditional physics journals.
A Publishing Experiment
Bernd Matthias and Philip Anderson, the journal's founders, envisioned “Physics” as an “experimental journal” that would address the overwhelming amount of good physics being written. Their solution was a unique selection process: they reviewed every submission themselves, accepting or rejecting each paper based on their judgment. They even paid authors for their work, a rare practice at the time.
Despite criticism from their peers, who warned of potential biases and the risk of rejecting excellent work, Matthias and Anderson stood by their criteria. And it was this very system that identified the merits of Bell's paper, a paper that was far from mainstream.
The Impact of Bell's Paper
John Clauser, a quantum physicist, discovered Bell's paper in 1967, attracted by the journal's unusual title. Clauser, who later shared the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, conducted the first Bell test in 1972 with Stuart Friedmann. This test sparked a series of experiments that deepened our understanding of quantum mechanics and catalyzed the development of quantum technologies.
The Journal's Legacy
“Physics” also published work from other notable physicists, including Murray Gell-Mann, Leonard Susskind, and Leo Kadanoff. The journal's model of in-house editorial selection for broad interest would later be revived in the 2000s with the Nature series of journals. Its inclusive, multi-language title was also ahead of its time.
However, “Physics” was discontinued in 1968 after just three volumes. According to Philip Anderson, the journal stopped not due to a lack of submissions, but because the founders couldn't keep up with the promise of rapid publication, a promise hindered by Robert Maxwell's increasing delays between issues.
The journal has since been archived by the American Physical Society and is freely accessible online. One can't help but wonder about the potential impact of a different journal name or a more sustainable publishing model.
Final Thoughts
John Bell's theorem, a cornerstone of quantum mechanics, found an unlikely home in the obscure journal “Physics.” This story highlights the importance of innovative publishing models and the potential impact of individual judgment in identifying groundbreaking work. It also serves as a reminder that sometimes the most significant discoveries can come from unexpected places.
