Journal Guide
Publishing in Journal of Applied Physics: Fit, Timeline & Submission Guide
Applied physics: materials properties, devices, and engineering applications
Should you submit here?
Submit if present system showing unexpected behavior or novel physical phenomenon. Be careful if jAP expects physical understanding.
Best fit if
Present system showing unexpected behavior or novel physical phenomenon
Not ideal if
JAP expects physical understanding
Also compare
2.5
Impact Factor (2024)
~50-60%
Acceptance Rate
~90-120 days median
Time to First Decision
Submission guide
Journal of Applied Physics Submission Guide: What Editors Screen Before Review
This Journal of Applied Physics submission guide helps authors decide whether the work has enough applied relevance, measurement depth, and physical insight for JAP.
Desk rejection
How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Journal of Applied Physics
How to avoid desk rejection at Journal of Applied Physics: the measurement depth, physical insight, and theory link editors expect.
Review timeline
Journal of Applied Physics Review Time: What Authors Can Actually Expect
Journal of Applied Physics is not built for instant desk churn. The useful question is whether the paper is complete and applied enough to justify JAP's full-length format.
Comparison guide
Applied Physics Letters vs Journal of Applied Physics
Applied Physics Letters vs Journal of Applied Physics compared: impact factor, article format, editorial bar, review expectations, and who should submit
What J. Appl. Phys. Publishes
Journal of Applied Physics published by AIP is a premier journal for applied physics research and engineering. With JIF 2.5 and broad Q1-Q2 coverage, JAP emphasizes research on materials physics, device performance, and applied physics principles. The journal publishes research on semiconductors, magnetism, optics, and materials behavior. Critically: JAP values research with clear physical insight and practical application. Pure material characterization without understanding physical mechanisms is less competitive. The journal seeks papers showing how physics advances engineering.
- Semiconductor physics: band structure, charge carrier transport, device physics
- Magnetism: magnetic materials, magnetization, magnetic devices
- Optics and photonics: optical properties, photonic devices, light-matter interaction
- Mechanical properties: elastic behavior, plasticity, mechanical testing
- Thermal properties: thermal conductivity, thermal management, thermoelectrics
- Electrical properties: conductivity, resistivity, electrical characterization
- Thin films and coatings: film growth, interfaces, thin-film properties
- Device physics: transistors, sensors, detectors, device performance
Editor Insight
“JAP publishes applied physics advancing materials understanding and engineering. We seek research combining experimental characterization with theoretical physical insight.”
What J. Appl. Phys. Editors Look For
Material or device demonstrating novel physics or superior properties
Present system showing unexpected behavior or novel physical phenomenon. Better electrical properties? Novel magnetic behavior? Superior optical response? Show clear advantage.
Rigorous physical characterization and measurement
Thoroughly characterize: transport measurements, optical spectroscopy, magnetic characterization as relevant. Quantified physical properties essential.
Understanding of underlying physics driving properties or behavior
Explain physical mechanisms. What band structure effects? What magnetic interactions? What optical processes? Physics explanation essential.
Experimental-theoretical physical understanding
Combine measurements with theoretical models (band structure, magnetism theory, optical theory). Theory-experiment integration valuable.
Practical device application or engineering relevance
Show physics advances practical applications: better semiconductor, more sensitive sensor, improved optical component.
Why Papers Get Rejected
These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past J. Appl. Phys.'s editorial review:
Material characterization without physical insight or device application
JAP expects physical understanding. Measuring properties alone insufficient. What physics explains the measured behavior? What applications matter?
Device fabrication without rigorous physical characterization
Make devices only if physical insight accompanies. Show measured device performance and understand underlying physics.
No comparison with theoretical expectations or existing materials
Show measured properties compare with theory and existing standards. Why is this advance?
Incomplete physical characterization across temperature or field ranges
Physical behavior often temperature or field dependent. Comprehensive characterization needed.
Ignoring practical limitations or device considerations
Physical findings must have path to application. Address practical constraints.
Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?
The Free Readiness Scan reads your full manuscript against J. Appl. Phys.'s criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.
Insider Tips from J. Appl. Phys. Authors
Semiconductor and device physics with novel behavior highly valued
New semiconductor physics or device concepts receive strong interest.
Thermal management and thermoelectric materials increasingly important
Heat control and energy conversion physics increasingly competitive.
Magnetic materials and magnetism physics trending
Magnetism research for data storage or sensors competitive.
Photonics and optical device physics gaining prominence
Light-matter interaction and optical devices increasingly important.
2D materials and quantum phenomena emerging area
Graphene and 2D materials exhibiting quantum effects increasingly valued.
The J. Appl. Phys. Submission Process
Manuscript preparation
Prep5,000-8,000 words with 5-7 figures. Include material/device description, physical characterization, transport or optical measurements, theoretical explanation, comparison with theory.
Submission via AIP system
Day 0Submit at https://publishing.aip.org/publications/journals/journal-of-applied-physics/. Required: manuscript emphasizing physical insight, figures showing characterization.
Editorial assessment
1-2 weeksEditor assesses physical novelty and insight. Papers lacking mechanistic understanding face lower priority. Moderate desk rejection ~20-30%.
Peer review
90-120 days2-3 applied physics experts assess novelty, characterization rigor, physical understanding. First decision 90-120 days.
Revision and publication
Revision: 4-8 weeksRevisions often request additional characterization or theoretical comparison. Publication 2-4 weeks after acceptance.
J. Appl. Phys. by the Numbers
| 2024 Impact Factor | 2.7 |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | 2.9 |
| Acceptance rate | ~50-60% |
| Desk rejection rate | ~20-30% |
| Median first decision | ~105 days |
| Open access option | $3,000 USD |
| Publisher | American Institute of Physics |
| Founded | 1931 |
Before you submit
J. Appl. Phys. accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.
Start with the Free Readiness Scan. Unlock the Full AI Diagnostic for $29. If you need deeper scientific feedback, choose Expert Review. The full report is calibrated to J. Appl. Phys..
Article Types
Article
5,000-8,000 wordsApplied physics with experimental-theoretical understanding
Landmark J. Appl. Phys. Papers
Papers that defined fields and changed science:
- Semiconductor band structure and transport (various) - device physics
- Magnetic materials and magnetization (various) - data storage and sensing
- Photonic and optical device physics (various) - light manipulation
- Thermal conductivity and thermoelectrics (2000s+) - energy applications
Preparing a J. Appl. Phys. Submission?
Get pre-submission feedback from reviewers who've published in J. Appl. Phys. and know exactly what editors look for.
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Primary Fields
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Related Journal Guides
All journal guidesLatest Journal-Specific Guides
- Submission guideJournal of Applied Physics Submission Guide: What Editors Screen Before ReviewThis Journal of Applied Physics submission guide helps authors decide whether the work has enough applied relevance, measurement depth, and physical insight for JAP.
- Desk rejectionHow to Avoid Desk Rejection at Journal of Applied PhysicsHow to avoid desk rejection at Journal of Applied Physics: the measurement depth, physical insight, and theory link editors expect.
- Review timelineJournal of Applied Physics Review Time: What Authors Can Actually ExpectJournal of Applied Physics is not built for instant desk churn. The useful question is whether the paper is complete and applied enough to justify JAP's full-length format.
- Acceptance rateJournal of Applied Physics Acceptance Rate: What Authors Can UseJournal of Applied Physics does not release a verified acceptance rate. The real filter is whether the work is thorough applied physics, not just engineering with physics vocabulary.
More Guides for This Journal
- Impact factorJournal of Applied Physics Impact Factor 2026: 2.5, Q3, Rank 101/187Journal of Applied Physics impact factor is 2.5 with a 5-year JIF of 2.7. See rank, quartile, and what it means for authors.
- Publishing costsJournal of Applied Physics APC and Open Access: 2026 AIP Pricing After S2O EndedJournal of Applied Physics APC is $3,800 through AIP Author Select in 2026. S2O ended, so OA now depends on agreements or payment.
- Manuscript prepJournal of Applied Physics Cover Letter: What Editors Actually Need to SeeJAP covers all applied physics with no page limit. Name the subfield for routing and state the practical relevance.
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Reference library
Compare J. Appl. Phys. with the broader publishing context
This journal guide is the best starting point for J. Appl. Phys.. The reference library covers the surrounding questions authors usually ask next: whether the package is ready, what drives desk rejection, how neighboring journals compare, and what the submission constraints look like across the field.
Checklist system / operational asset
Elite Submission Checklist
A flagship pre-submission checklist that turns journal-fit, desk-reject, and package-quality lessons into one operational final-pass audit.
Flagship report / decision support
Desk Rejection Report
A canonical desk-rejection report that organizes the most common editorial failure modes, what they look like, and how to prevent them.
Dataset / reference hub
Journal Intelligence Dataset
A canonical journal dataset that combines selectivity posture, review timing, submission requirements, and Manusights fit signals in one citeable reference asset.
Dataset / reference guide
Peer Review Timelines by Journal
Reference-grade journal timeline data that authors, labs, and writing centers can cite when discussing realistic review timing.
Need field-expert depth? See Expert Review Options