Physicists and intellectual mobility

This article explores intellectual mobility among physicists in terms of: (1) changes in the questions posed by scientists during their research career; (2) changes in categories of research instruments; and (3) the materials on which research is done. We argue that elements of Laboratory structure act to either stimulate or inhibit intellectual mobility. Four elements prove particularly important: (1) laboratory size; (2) laboratories' systems of internal authority and management; (3) the character and number of linkages between laboratories and outside institutions or interests; (4) the objectives and philosophy of laboratories' founding fathers.