On behalf of the IEEE NPSS Radiation Effects Committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 41st Annual International Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference to be held July 19-23, 2004, at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2004 Conference will continue the tradition of previous NSRE Conferences by offering an outstanding technical program, a one-day Short Course preceding the technical program, a Radiation Effects Data Workshop, and an Industrial Exhibit. We expect attendance by engineers, scientists, managers, and other interested attendees from all around the world. Some highlights of the Conference are given below. Additional information on the conference can be obtained on the Web at http://www.nsrec.com.
The Technical Program Chairman, Jim Pickel (PRT, Inc.), and his program committee have put together an exceptional set of contributed papers that have been arranged into 10 sessions of oral and poster papers, and a Radiation Effects Data Workshop. The Radiation Effects Data Workshop consists of papers emphasizing radiation effects data on electronic devices and systems and descriptions of new simulation and radiation test facilities. In addition, there are three outstanding invited talks of general interest to which we encourage you to come and to bring your companions.
The theme of this year’s Short Course, organized by Joe Srour (The Aerospace Corporation), is “Hardness Assurance and Photonics Challenges for Space Systems.” The Short Course will start with Monday morning devoted to systems and piece parts hardness assurance issues for microelectronics and photonics, with the afternoon focusing on issues confronting the successful use of photonics in space. This is the Silver Anniversary edition of the NSREC Short Course – it will be interesting and informative for attendees of all backgrounds and experience levels.
This year’s Industrial Exhibit, organized by David Meshel (Northrop Grumman) will permit one-on-one discussions between conference attendees and exhibitors on the latest in radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant electronic devices, radiation analysis and testing services, and radiation test facilities and test equipment.

Daniel M. Fleetwood General Chairman	James C. Pickel Technical Program Chairman	Joseph R. Srour Short Course Chairman	James Kinnison Local Arrangements Chairman

On Tuesday evening, attendees and their companions are invited to a reception that showcases the Industrial Exhibit.
Social events have been planned to give Conference attendees and their guests opportunities to informally discuss radiation effects and to become better acquainted. Jim Kinnison (Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab), this year’s Local Arrangements Chairman, has put together a memorable social program. The highlight of the program will be the Wednesday evening social where attendees and their companions can enjoy several popular attractions in downtown Atlanta including the World of Coca-Cola™, Underground Atlanta, and authentic southern cuisine served in Atlanta’s historic railroad depot. We strongly encourage you to register as early as possible for the social events, as some are limited in the numbers we can accommodate.
Atlanta is a great destination for the whole family. Its diverse restaurants feature cuisine from around the globe prepared by world-renowned chefs. Atlanta’s convenience for travel, wide range of attractions, and southern hospitality make it enjoyable for tourists year-round. The area around the Conference hotel features upscale shopping, easy parking, and a wide range of dining options – downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, and many other attractions are within convenient driving distance. From Atlanta’s role in the Civil War to the celebration of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, Atlanta’s historical attractions promise a visit filled with education and entertainment.
Your 2004 IEEE NSREC Committee has been busy working to ensure that this Conference will be technically beneficial and socially rewarding. We are excited about this year’s Conference and look forward to seeing you in Atlanta!

Short Course Program
This one-day Short Course will address two important topics and their related challenges for present and future space systems: hardness assurance and photonics. Assuring space-system radiation hardness involves many technical considerations. One lecturer will provide an overview of the techniques used to assure that hardness is maintained at the system level throughout the program life-cycle. Related challenges and potential solutions will also be addressed. A second speaker will focus on hardness assurance for electronic components. The second major topic at the Short Course is photonics for space systems. Nearly all present and envisioned space systems include photonic elements and subsystems, with key examples being solar arrays, optical sources and detectors, and optical fibers. To make use of current and emerging photonic components, designers must have knowledge of their radiation response and any associated limitations. Three speakers at the 2004 NSREC Short Course will address key effects of radiation on and challenges for photonics in space. Their comprehensive talks will include optical sources, detectors and imagers, fibers, solar cells, and photonic subsystems. This Short Course will provide a unique and cohesive set of talks for designers, radiation effects engineers, components specialists, and other technical and management personnel involved in developing space systems. Joe Srour of the Aerospace Corporation, the 2004 Short Course Chairman, has organized an exceptionally qualified team of lecturers to address these topics. This is a unique opportunity for NSREC attendees to benefit from the expertise of this world-class team. Each lecturer will provide sufficient background information to allow participants to appreciate the basics. Lectures will also include recent results and emerging technologies. The Short Course will benefit both new and experienced engineers, scientists, and managers.

Technical Program
The NSREC technical program will consist of contributed oral and poster papers, three invited papers, and a data workshop. All oral papers will be 12 minutes in length with an additional 3 minutes for questions. The technical sessions and chairpersons are:

• Basic Mechanisms of Radiation Effects
  Chair: Shyam Khanna, Defence Research Establishment / Canada
  
• Single-Event Effects: Mechanisms and Modeling
  Chair: Ken Galloway, Vanderbilt University
  
• Space Radiation Environments
  Chair: Mike Xapsos, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  
• Terrestrial Radiation Environments and Effects
  Chair: Phillipe Roche, STMicroelectronics / France
  
• Single-Event Effects: Devices and Integrated Circuits
  Chair: Bill Heidergott, General Dynamics
  
• Radiation Effects in Photonics
  Chair: Gordon Hopkinson, SIRA Electro-Optics Ltd. / United Kingdom
  
• Hardness by Design
  Chair: Harald Schone, Air Force Research Laboratory
  
• Dosimetry and Facilities
  Chair: Dave Roth, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  
• Hardness Assurance
  Chair: Mike Maher, National Semiconductor
  
• Radiation Effects in Devices and Integrated Circuits
  Chair: Marion Rose, Jaycor/Titan Systems

INVITED SPEAKERS
Three invited speakers will give stimulating and entertaining presentations during the conference on subjects outside the radiation effects area. Dr. Paul Charp of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discuss the role of the CDC in radiological emergencies. Dr. Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute will describe “New Horizons,” the first mission in NASA’s flagship New Frontiers program to explore the planets robotically. Dr. David Griscom of impactGlass Research International will present evidence that Washington, DC is built on asteroid ejecta deposits of the 35.5 million-year-old Chesapeake Bay Crater.

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBIT
Starting at noon on Tuesday, July 20th this year’s Industrial Exhibit, organized by David Meshel, Northrop Grumman, will provide an opportunity for conference attendees to discuss the latest radiation-resistant electronics, radiation analysis and testing equipment and facilities, and hardware and software simulation products and services. An Industrial Exhibits Reception will occur on Tuesday evening. Exhibitors include:

• 3-D Plus
  
• Actel
  
• Aeroflex Colorado Springs
  
• ATMEL
  
• BAE Systems
  
• Boeing Phantom Works
  
• Defense Microelectronic Activity
  
• DPA Components International
  
• Honeywell
  
• ICS & JL Shepherd & Associates
  
• International Rectifier
  
• Interpoint, A Crane Company
  
• Intersil Corporation
  
• J.D Instruments
  
• Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
  
• Maxwell Technologies
  
• Modular Devices
  
• MRC Microelectronics
  
• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  
• NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
  
• Northrop Grumman
  
• Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
  
• Prairie View A&M Univ-NASA Center for Applied Radiation Research
  
• Sandia National Laboratories
  
• Silvaco
  
• SVC/WSMR
  
• Texas A&M Cyclotron
  
• US Semiconductor
  
• Vanderbilt University
• Xilinx, Inc.

SOCIAL PROGRAM
Jim Kinnison (Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab), this year’s Local Arrangements Chairman, has put together a memorable social program. The highlight of the program will be the Wednesday evening social where attendees and their companions can enjoy several popular attractions in downtown Atlanta including the World of Coca-Cola™, Underground Atlanta, and authentic southern cuisine served in Atlanta’s historic railroad depot. We strongly encourage you to register as early as possible for the social events, as some are limited in the numbers we can accommodate.
Please visit www.nsrec.com to view the activities and obtain the registration forms.
Please call the Renaissance Waverly Hotel at 770-953-4500 and ask for the “IEEE NSREC” block of rooms. Reservations must be guaranteed. The cut-off date for room reservations is June 15, 2004. After that date, room accommodations will be confirmed on a space available basis and the conference room rate is not guaranteed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For the latest NSREC information (technical program, conference & social registration forms, hotel and travel information, etc.) please visit our web site at http://www.nsrec.com.
You may contact the General Chairman, Dan Fleetwood, Vanderbilt University, at (615) 322-2498 or E-mail: dan.fleetwood @vanderbilt.edu.
Or you can contact the Publicity Chairwoman, Teresa Farris, Aeroflex, at (719) 594-8035; E-mail: teresa.farris@aeroflex.com who prepared this article.