June 2002
Please note the style followed in Physical Review A and Physical Review E for vector notation.
Vectors may be indicated (preferably) by boldface type or by overarrows.
Keep multiplicative center dots and x’s between vectors:
| k·r | $\mathrm{\vec{k} · \vec{r}}$ |
| k · r | $\vec{k}$ · $\vec{r}$ |
| E × B | $\mathrm{\vec{E}× \vec{B}}$ |
| E × B | $\vec{E}$ × $\vec{B}$ |
| ∇ · r | $\mathrm{\vec{∇} · \vec{r}}$ |
| ∇ × r | $\mathrm{\vec{∇} × \vec{r}}$ |
In an equation, the zero on the rhs should reflect the vector character:
| v = 0 | $\vec{v}$ = $\vec{0}$ |
(The zero is printed either boldface or with an overarrow, as appropriate.)
| ∇ · v = 0 | $\vec{∇ } · \vec{v} = 0$ |
(The zero is printed lightface in this case.)
Unit vectors are usually indicated by carets:
| $\mathrm{\hat{r}}$ | $\mathrm{{\hat{\vec{r}}}}$ | $\mathrm{\hat{r}}$ |
| $\hat{r}$ | ${\hat{\vec{r}}}$ | $\hat{r}$ |