Journal Guide

Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials publishes scientific articles related to the structural science of compounds and materials in the widest sense. Knowledge of the arrangements of atoms, including their temporal variations and dependencies on temperature and pressure, is often the key to understanding physical and chemical phenomena and is crucial for the design of new materials and supramolecular devices. Acta Crystallographica B is the forum for the publication of such contributions. Scientific developments based on experimental studies as well as those based on theoretical approaches, including crystal-structure prediction, structure-property relations and the use of databases of crystal structures, are published.

Acta Crystallographica Section C: Crystal Structure Communications specializes in the rapid dissemination of high-quality detailed studies of novel and challenging crystal and molecular structures of interest in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, mineralogy, pharmacology, physics and materials science. The unique checking, editing and publishing facilities of the journal ensure the highest standards of structural reliability and presentation, while providing for reports on studies involving special techniques or difficult crystalline materials. Papers go beyond reporting the principal numerical and geometrical data, and may include the discussion of multiple related structures, a detailed description of non-routine structure determinations, placing the structure in an interesting scientific, physical or chemical context, or the discussion of interesting physical properties or modes of association. Reports of difficult or challenging structures, such as cases of twinning, severe disorder, or diffuse solvent regions are welcomed, provided the presented structures are correct and the difficulties and strategies used to treat them are scientifically discussed and properly documented. Section C readers have access to an extensive back archive of high-quality structural data.

Acta Crystallographica Section D: Biological Crystallography welcomes the submission of papers covering any aspect of structural biology, with a particular emphasis on the structures of biological macromolecules and the methods used to determine them. Reports on new protein structures are particularly encouraged, as are structure-function papers that could include crystallographic binding studies, or structural analysis of mutants or other modified forms of a known protein structure. The key criterion is that such papers should present new insights into biology, chemistry or structure.

Acta Crystallographica Section D welcomes the submission of articles covering any aspect of structural biology, with a particular emphasis on the structures of biological macromolecules or the methods used to determine them.

Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online is the IUCr's highly popular open-access structural journal. It provides a simple and easily accessible publication mechanism for the growing number of inorganic, metal-organic and organic crystal structure determinations. The electronic submission, validation, refereeing and publication facilities of the journal ensure very rapid and high-quality publication, whilst key indicators and validation reports provide measures of structural reliability. The average publication time is less than one month. Articles are published in a short-format style with enhanced supplementary materials. Each publication consists of a complete package - the published article, HTML and PDF supplements, CIF, structure factors, graphics, and any other submitted supplementary files.

Many research topics in condensed matter research, materials science and the life sciences make use of crystallographic methods to study crystalline and non-crystalline matter with neutrons, X-rays and electrons. Articles published in the Journal of Applied Crystallography focus on these methods and their use in identifying structural and diffusion-controlled phase transformations, structure-property relationships, structural changes of defects, interfaces and surfaces, etc. Developments of instrumentation and crystallographic apparatus, theory and interpretation, numerical analysis and other related subjects are also covered. The journal is the primary place where crystallographic computer program information is published.

Synchrotron radiation research is rapidly expanding with many new sources of radiation being created globally. Synchrotron radiation plays a leading role in pure science and in emerging technologies. The Journal of Synchrotron Radiation provides comprehensive coverage of the entire field of synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser research including instrumentation, theory, computing and scientific applications in areas such as biology, nanoscience and materials science. Rapid publication ensures an up-to-date information resource for scientists and engineers in the field.