The 29th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science will be held in Banff, Alberta, Canada between Sunday May 26 and Thursday May 30, 2002. A special mini-course on Computational Modeling of Plasmas will be offered May 30-31.

The conference is sponsored by the Plasma Science and Applications Committee of the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society. Conference information updates are available on the ICOPS 2002 web site at www.ieee.org/icops2002 or through the IEEE web site under conferences at www.ieee.org

The conference centre overlooks the picturesque town of Banff located in Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rocky mountains. Nearby there are many mountain and valley hiking trails, the spectacular Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier, and the famous Banff hot springs. Banff and its neighbouring towns, Lake Louise and Canmore, offer many interesting attractions, golf, facilities for shopping, cafes for relaxing in the afternoon sun and restaurants for fine dining. Many opportunities exist for organized excursions and tours, a few of which will be highlighted in the companions program. The weather at the end of May will still be cool overnight and refreshing in the daytime, with average lows of 3 degrees Celsius and highs of 16 degrees Celsius. A warm jacket is advised.

The major technical topics and their Technical Area Coordinators are:

• Akira Hirose: Basic Processes in Fully and Partially Ionized Plasmas
• Neville Luhmann: Microwave Generation and Microwave Plasma Interaction
• Ian Brown: Charged Particle Beams and Sources
• Chris Deeney: High Energy Density Plasmas and Their Interactions
• Ken Hutcherson: Commercial Applications of Plasmas
• Mary Brake: Plasma Diagnostics
• James Dickens: Pulsed Power and Other Plasma Technology Applications

To receive the early registration rate of $530 (Cdn) for IEEE members or $680 (Cdn) for non-members, registration must be completed by April 26, 2002. Special rates are available for students and unemployed or retired scientists. All amounts are in Canadian Dollars and the current exchange rate is approximately US $1.00 = Cdn $1.55.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

The technical program has been organized as follows:

Basic processes in fully and partially ionized plasmas

1.1 Basic phenomenon

1.2 Space plasmas

1.3 Partially ionized gases

1.4 Computational plasma physics

Microwave generation and microwave plasma interaction

2.1 Intense beam microwave devices

2.2 Fast wave devices

2.3 Vacuum microelectronics

2.4 Slow wave devices

2.5 Microwave systems

2.6 Microwave plasmas

Charged particle beams and sources

3.1 Plasma, ion and electron sources

3.2 Intense electron and ion beams

High energy density plasmas and their interactions

4.1 Laser produced plasmas

4.2 Inertial confinement fusion

4.3 Magnetic fusion energy

4.4 Fast z-pinches and radiation sources

4.5 High energy density hydrodynamics

4.6 Spherical configurations

Commercial applications of plasmas

5.1 Low pressure plasma processing

5.2 Thermal plasma chemistry/processing

5.3 Plasma thrusters

5.4 Plasmas for lighting

5.5 Flat panel displays

5.6 Medical, biological/environmental applications

Plasma diagnostics

6.1 Plasma diagnostics

Pulsed power and other plasma technology applications

7.1 Closing switches

7.2 Opening switches

7.3 Vacuum power amplification and emerging concepts

PLENARY SESSIONS

Plenary Sessions will highlight recent advances in plasma science in the various technical areas of the conference.

MINI-COURSE: COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF PLASMAS

This 1-1/2 day course will be organized by Dr. Richard D. Sydora, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada and will consist of lectures from various experts in the field of computational modeling of plasmas. The course will run from noon Thursday, May 30 until late afternoon Friday, May 31.

Course Objectives: The course is designed for scientists and engineers beginning their careers in computational plasma modeling and those who would like an overview on the techniques and some of the latest developments. The course will be accessible to experimentalists and theorists who are seeking to gain an understanding of the modeling techniques and want to gain practical experience by working with codes already developed. The course will also address issues in plasma modeling related to industrial applications.

Lectures: The course will contain lectures on:

1) magnetohydrodynamic codes

2) particle-in-cell codes

3) hybrid codes

4) treating radiation and atomic physics

5) plasma modeling for specific applications

6) basic computational issues and parallel computing

Course Materials: Notes prepared by various lecturers. Sample computer codes and parallel computation on workstation clusters.

Registration Deadline: The registration deadline for the mini-course is April 26, 2002. Acceptance of application after that date is contingent upon available space. The registration fee for the mini-course is Regular- Cdn. $600, Student- Cdn. $300, which includes all lecture materials and refreshments.

The mini-course is subject to cancellation if insufficient registrations are received by April 26, 2002.

CONFERENCE RECORD AND SPECIAL ISSUE OF
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE

Abstracts of accepted papers will be published in the Conference Record book which will be distributed to all participants at the conference. Invited and plenary speakers will be invited to submit their papers for publication in a special issue of Transactions on Plasma Science, to be published later in the year. The Publication Chair and guest editor of this special issue is:

Dr. C.E. Capjack
Dept of Electrical and Computer
Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G2V4, Canada
Phone: +1 780-492-3938
Fax: +1 780-492-1811
E-mail: capjack@ee.ualberta.ca

SOCIAL EVENTS

A reception will be held on Sunday evening. A buffet of hor˜s d˜oeuvres will be provided for conference registrants. A nominal fee — Cdn $15.00 will be charged for companions.

The conference banquet will be held in the Banff Centre on Tuesday, May 28. Banquet tickets are available to conference registrants at a nominal price of Cdn $15.00. Companions, students and retired members will be charged Cdn $35.00. Tickets are limited so please purchase early.

A Companion Program is also offered for companions to experience Banff and area.

OPTIONAL COMPANION PROGRAM

The Companion Program is offered as a focal point for companions to see the wonderful sights of Banff and area or to meet and relax with friends. Please sign up early for the organized tours to ensure your participation. Lunches are not included in the fees for the tours. However a picnic stop will be arranged as part of the Tuesday and Wednesday excursions and those who are staying at the Banff Centre can order a sandwich lunch to take with them on the excursion. For those not staying at the Banff Centre a gourmet sandwich lunch can be arranged for an additional fee.

Monday, May 27:
Bus Tour: Banff/Lake Minnewanka*

(Approximately 3 hours)

This tour enables visitors to explore the immediate Banff area in three hours accompanied by one of our interpretive guides. Guests will have the opportunity to explore and understand Banff˜s best highlights including Bow Falls, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos, Bank head and Lake Minnewanka. At each of these points guests are encouraged to disembark the bus and learn more about the area as their guide interprets the landscape around them and describes our vibrant local history. Guests of the tour are provided with complimentary binoculars, umbrellas if needed, and the opportunity to have a memorable day with the guides.

Tuesday, May 28:
Bus Tour: Lake Louise*

(Approximately 4 hours)

Travel along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway for an excursion to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies", Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Enjoy panoramic mountain vistas, thundering glaciers and pristine turquoise lakes while learning interesting facts about this spectacular region. This trip is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression of the Canadian Rockies.

Wednesday, May 29:
Bus Tour: Ice Fields Parkway andColumbia Ice Field*

(Approximately 8 1/2 hours)

Towering mountains, panoramic vistas, pristine lakes and timeless glaciers are all on the agenda for this full day tour! The Icefields Parkway is arguably one of the most spectacular stretches of road in the entire world and there is no better way to discover this stunning landscape than with one of the informative tour guides. Learn about the Columbia Icefield, the power of glaciers and the brave explorers who discovered them. You will enjoy several scenic photo stops and short walking adventures as you wind your way along the Glacier Trail. This full day tour includes a stop at the Columbia Icefields Center where you will enjoy lunch (and have the opportunity to partake in an optional Snowcoach Tour of the glacier for which there is an additional fee).

* A tour may be cancelled due to insufficient registration. In that case full refunds will be given to prior registrants.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Abstracts should be submitted preferably by e-mail. The abstract must fit within a rectangle 4.5 inches by 10.5 inches (11.5 cm by 27 cm). The single page abstract must contain the title, author(s) and affiliation(s) as a heading. It must be single spaced with the title centered on one line and author(s) name(s) and affiliations(s) centered under the title. Please submit abstracts in MS Word document format or in a simple text file. A template MS-word document file for abstract submission is available on line. Abstracts will be published in the Conference Record, which will be available at the conference. Persons with questions concerning abstracts should contact Lee Grimard at +1 780 492-2375.

The abstract must be received no later than Jan. 18, 2002. Facsimile copies will not be accepted. Abstracts will be reviewed by the session organizers and the program committee. Notices will be sent confirming acceptance of all papers. Abstracts received after the Jan. 18, 2002 deadline will be placed in a post-deadline session, if accepted. The presenter must be one of the authors and a registered conference participant. At least one author should be registered to assure that the abstract appears in the proceedings.

REGISTRATION

Registration forms for the conference, mini-course, and optional companion program are provided in the conference announcement call for papers and on the ICOPS2002 web site. Forms also may be obtained by contacting the registration manager at the address below. Early registration is highly recommended. Register in full by Saturday, April 26, 2002, to qualify for the lower registration fees. If you pre-register and wish to pay by fax, you may do so using either Master Card or Visa credit cards. Payments made by check or money orders must be made out to "IEEE ICOPS2002" in the form of Canadian dollars. Registration and payments should be sent to:

ICOPS2002
C/O Lee Grimard
423 Department of Physics
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6G 2J1
Phone: +1 780 492-2375
Fax: +1 780 492-0714
Email: grimard@phys.ualberta.ca

TRANSPORTATION

Flights: Flights should be arranged to Calgary which is the closest major city, 120km (75mi) from Banff. Most major airlines from USA, Europe and Asia have connecting flights to the Calgary airport

Directions to the Banff Centre from the Calgary Airport: The Banff townsite is 120 km (75 mi.) west of Calgary city limits and 16 km (10 mi.) west of Banff Park gate. To reach Banff follow the, all-weather, four lane Trans-Canada Highway 1 west from Calgary to Banff. Driving time is approximately 90 minutes. Upon entering the townsite of Banff, the Banff Centre for Conferences can easily be reached following the clearly marked road signs.

Car Rental: Rentals can be made at the Calgary airport via Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, National Tilden or Budget. Phone numbers and emails for these companies can be found at www.calgaryairport.com/transport/rentcar.html

Shuttle Buses: Numerous shuttle buses operate out of the Calgary Airport to Banff. You can take one of the following: Airport Shuttle Express, Banff Airporter, Brewster Airport Service or Laidlaw Airporter. There is a shuttle leaving the airport approximately every hour.

Guest Parking: Parking is available free of charge at the Banff Centre for registered guests.

CONFERENCE ACCOMMODATION

A reserved block of rooms has been arranged at:

The Banff Centre for Conferences

Tel: 1-800-884-7574 or +1 403-762-6308 or Email: reservations@banffcentre.ab.ca

Reservations should be made using the link from the ICOPS2002 homepage.

The conference rates will be as given below. They include accommodation, buffet breakfast and lunch daily, all gratuities, parking and delegate access to the Sally Borden Recreation Centre (tax not included). Disabled access is available with paths, roadways or ramps that provide access throughout most buildings. For more information on special requirements please contact the Banff Centre and necessary arrangements can be made.

Superior Single - Cdn. $151.00 per night plus tax (includes breakfast and lunch)

Superior Double - Cdn. $91.50 per person per night plus tax (includes breakfast and lunch)

Standard Single - Cdn. $131.00 per night plus tax (includes breakfast and lunch)

Standard Double - Cdn. $81.50 per person per night plus tax (includes breakfast and lunch)

Reservations received after April 26, 2002 will be on a space available basis.

Alternate accommodation is available in the Banff town site which is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the conference centre. For arrangements please check the web site: www.banffalberta.ca

ICOPS2002 PLACEMENT
CENTER AT ICOPS

A placement center will be set up at the conference. Individuals interested in employment opportunities in plasma physics and related areas should send their resumes to:

Daniel Jobe
Sandia National Laboratory
P.O. Box 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-1196
Phone: +1 505 845-7572
Fax: +1 505 845-7507
E-mail: djobe@sandia.gov

The resumes should be marked "ICOPS"in the upper right hand corner. Those employers who have positions available should notify Daniel Jobe. Confidential interviews will be arranged at the conference. The Placement Center is a free, voluntary service.

IEEE STUDENT TRAVEL
GRANTS FOR ICOPS

A limited number of travel grants, up to Cdn $750 are available to encourage graduate students (IEEE members) to attend the conference. Applicants should submit the following:

1.    Copy of submitted abstract

2.    IEEE membership number

3.    Social Security number

4.    Proposed budget for travel to the conference (cost sharing with student's institution is encouraged)

5.    Two letters of recommendation, one of which is from the student's adviser, stating the significance of research.

Application information should be sent by March 1, 2002 to:

Professor Y.Y. Lau
Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
University of Michigan
2355 Bonisteel Blvd, Cooley Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104
Phone: +1 734 764-5122
Fax: +1 734 763-4540
E-mail: yylau@umich.edu

FREE INTRODUCTORY IEEE MEMBERSHIP AT ICOPS

In order to encourage participation in the activities of the IEEE and the Plasma Science and Application part of the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society, free half-year memberships will be given to all interested non-IEEE members (including students) registering for this conference. This free half-year membership includes a subscription to both the IEEE Spectrum and the Transactions on Plasma Science. The regular cost of a full year's membership can be found on the Web site: www.ieee.org (Note: varies by region and location. Correct amounts per region are listed under IEEE Membership.) To receive your free membership, fill out an application at the IEEE membership desk. The benefits of membership include:

1.    A subscription to Transactions on Plasma Science, a journal devoted to all aspects of plasma science and technology.

2.    A subscription to Spectrum, a magazine covering engineering topics of general technical, economic, political and social interest.

3.    A subscription to Society Newsletter with news items about the Conference on Plasma Science, Particle Accelerator Conference, and Symposium on Fusion Engineering.

4.    Eligibility to participate in a broad range of IEEE activities.

5.    Opportunities for IEEE educational services such as video-conferences and individual learning packages.

Full membership applications are available any time by calling 1-800-678-IEE

Bob Fedosejevs
Chair, ICOPS 2002