In support of a continuing program of systematic evaluation of nuclear structure data and basic research in nulear physics, the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) maintains a complete computer file of references to the nuclear physics literature -the Nuclear Science References (NSR). Each reference is tagged by a keyword string, which indicates the kinds of data contained in the article. The NSR file contains complete keyword indexes to literature published since 1969, with partial indexing of older references. Any reader who finds errors in the keyword descriptions is urged to report them to the NNDC so that the master NSR file can be corrected.
In 1966, the first collection of Recent References was published as a separate issue of Nuclear Data Sheets. Every four months between 1970 and September, 1992, a similar indexed bibliography to new nuclear experiments has been prepared from additions to the NSR file and published. Beginning in 1978, Recent References was cumulated annually, with the third issue completely superseding the two issues previously published during a given year. Due to publication policy changes, cumulation of Recent Reference was discontinued in 1986. The volume and issue number of all the cumulative issues published to date by NNDC are listed in Nuclear Data Sheets 76, 489 (1995).
In September, 1992, the four-monthly publication was discontinued in favor of a yearly cumulative publication. NNDC will continue to respond to individual requests for special bibliographies on nuclear physics topics, in addition to those easily obtained from Recent References. If the required information is available from the keyword string, a reference list can be prepared automatically from the computer files by On-line access to the NSR File. Information on On-line access is given on page iv. A current copy of the NSR file may also be obtained in a standard format from NNDC. Requests for special searches of the NSR file may also be directed to the NNDC.