Despite a general absence of communication on both my part as well as Kerri’s, things have been very busy and there are many things going on.

One which has just recently finished is the publication of what may turn out to be my favorite paper. Well, it’s my favorite to a point.

http://apl.aip.org/resource/1/applab/v99/i12/p121910_s1

Basically we were able to directly observe a signal from the motion of individual atomic terraces on a platinum single crystal surface. They move because the crystal is so hot that atoms are sublimating (going straight from the solid surface to the ambient vacuum).

More details of the experiment were posted earlier : “pt_step_edge_preprint.html.”

So, one interesting thing you may note, I posted the original information and link back in March. That was a full 6 months ago. That is the length of time to go between editors, referees, revision, resubmission, and then some. And that’s not really a long or uncommon period of time. I’ve seen a few go through faster, but not too many. In fact, usually it’s much longer the other way. I’ve personally experienced something that almost took 18 months, and I’ve known people that had to work for 2 years on a publication. And the thing to remember here, is that this period of time is from the point of when you submit the manuscript. It says nothing about the time you put in beforehand to do the work, analyze the data, figure out the pieces, and then write it up.

You may notice the extra space at the bottom of the third page. That is a disappointment and the result of some miscommunication. There are a couple of extra paragraphs that are no longer in the manuscript.

But regardless, it’s done, out there, and I can be happy about it.