Resonance ionization spectroscopy: How a new field expands

A scientometric study of communication and growth of a new development of physics, resonance ionization spectroscopy, has been made. Formal (journal publications) and informal (talks, lecures) communication patterns have been studied. Self citation dominates in early publications, but drops off as the field expands. Informal communication leads formal only by about a year in time, but is much larger in number.