The rapid advancement of science has underscored the importance of collaboration among scientists. While many studies have explored the structure of collaboration networks, there is a lack of comprehensive quantitative research on the temporal patterns of these collaborations. This study addresses this gap by analyzing temporal scientific collaboration networks in physics, spanning from 1960 to 2021, using complex network theories and methods. By constructing five-year temporal collaborative networks and employing metrics such as network diameter, shortest path, and clustering coefficient, this research reveals an increase in connectivity and small-world characteristics over time. Additionally, community detection highlights a shift towards specialized collaboration patterns and increased cross-community interactions. The study also uncovers growing centrality and social stratification within the research system, with the “rich club” phenomenon indicating strong and dynamic collaborations among highly connected scientists. Temporal analysis shows that while ultra-high connectivity scientists engage in fluctuating relationships, medium-high connectivity scientists maintain more stable collaborations. These findings provide insights into the evolution of collaborative behaviors and inform science policy.