Editorial from the Editor in Chief

Abstract

Since 2003, the journal of Laser and Particle Beams no longer publishes conference proceedings. Even of those conferences where the topics are very closely related to the research fields discussed in this journal. Authors are instead encouraged to submit a regular paper dealing with the topic presented during a conference. The advantage for authors is that there is no page limit as long as the paper passes the peer review process. The discussion of the presented research during the conference helps reviewers to evaluate the quality of the paper and this usually leads to a speedy publication process. Every year in June, the ISI Web of Knowledge releases the Journal Citation Reports. The publication policy adopted by the Laser and Particle Beams editorial board was obviously quite successful since we experienced a substantial increase in the impact factor and in the immediacy index. Thus the Journal Citation Report lists Laser and Particle Beams now as a leading journal in the field of applied physics. This is an opportunity to thank authors for their high quality contributions to this journal. The publisher and the editorial board will try to continue to improve the service to readers and authors during the upcoming years.