Phase distribution of a harmonic laser beam generated by the interaction of a vortex laser beam on a plasma mirror. Selected for a Synopsis in Physics and an Editors’ Suggestion.

In the next paper in our look back on Editors’ Suggestions we turn to the magnetic fields generated by the flow of liquid metals in the cores of planets and stars. In January 2007, a team from France were the first to recreate this dynamo action in the laboratory under turbulent flow conditions. The experiments allowed researchers to probe the factors that give rise to magnetic fields of astronomical objects. A write-up of the research appeared in Physics see Focus: Molten Metal Magnet.

Generation of a magnetic field by dynamo action in a turbulent flow of liquid sodium
R. Monchaux et al.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 044592 (2007)

Lead Editor Hugues Chaté discusses why PRL highlights papers as Editors’ Suggestions and how Suggestions are picked.

The Editor in Chief and the Lead Editors of Physical Review X discuss their goal to make PRX the place to publish the best cross-field work in a format accessible to a broad readership.