The ICOPS (International Conference on Plasma Science) held its 30th meeting for the first time outside of North America in South Korea. The conference organizer was Kyu-Sun Chung, who did a great job, as well as the Plasma Science and applications Committee chairs, Dr. Robert K. Parker (past) and Dr. Thomas W. Hussey (present), who also did lots of work. It was held on a resort island, Jeju, at the Lotte Hotel. I counted 670 abstracts in the abstract book. The major group of attendees was from Korea, followed by Japan and the USA. However, some papers were not presented because of the SARS epidemic. In particular, people from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan cancelled their attendance.

The topics ranged from our past interests such as Thermonuclear Fusion, basic plasma research, and microwave generation to newer topics such as plasma discharges in air for plasma industrial applications, medical applications, and sterilization, so the conference demonstrates a healthy appreciation for newer fields as well as for the older fields. I was personally very impressed by the Korean work in Thermonuclear Fusion, with the large superconducting TOKAMAK, KSTAR, now under construction, as well as the Korean work on large plasma display panels. In general, Korea has a large, active, and creative plasma membership.

The Plenary Sessions were outstanding. One talk that impressed me, "The Physics of Lightning" by Dr. John J. Lowke, presented evidence that part of the lightning stroke is carried by an electron - free plasma of negative and positive ions. Consideration of such electron-free air plasmas generally has been considered heresy in the past. He also made the suggestion that ball lightning in the air is an electrical image of a slowly-proceeding lightning streamer underground.

There was also a special mini-course on plasma diagnostics, presented by 9 speakers from around the world, including The USA, Germany, The Netherlands, and Japan. There was an industrial exhibit in the hall leading to the oral sessions. The IEEE had a nice booth in the same hall.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (an international organization), is very pleased to help its members in Asia. The Pacific Rim has the most rapidly growing IEEE membership in the World, and these members must be acknowledged and aided. I personally look forward to returning to Asia, and Korea in particular.

Igor Alexeff, a past NPSS President, organized the first ICOPS conference in 1974 in Knoxville. He can be reached at the University of Tennessee, Electrical Engineering Department, Ferris Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996-2100; Phone +1 865 974-5467; Fax: +1 865 974-5492; E-mail: i.alexeff@ieee.org

Igor Alexeff

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