Dear Colleagues,
The Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical
Imaging Conference, 13th International Workshop on Room-Temperature
Semiconductor Detectors, and Symposium on Nuclear Power Systems will be held in
Portland, Oregon on October 19 – 25, 2003. Outstanding natural beauty, dozens
of urban parks, public art, and a world-class transportation system are just a
few of the many reasons to visit this jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Downtown
Portland boasts an amazing array of attractions, including an outstanding
collection of cast iron and terra cotta architecture, great shopping, the
largest new-and-used bookstore in the world, a nationally acclaimed art museum,
numerous beer halls featuring local microbreweries, and a vibrant culinary
community suitable for palates of all. Come and join the 2003 IEEE meeting and
consider staying a few extra days! The Pacific shore to the west offers a
spectacular, rugged coastline, sport fishing, and great opportunities for
beachcombing. Wineries and tasting rooms dot the landscape. The Cascade
Mountains provide extraordinary skiing (year-round at Mt. Hood), climbing,
fishing, and picnicking. The Columbia River Gorge to the east of Portland offers
stunning scenery of waterfalls and numerous opportunities to sample the fruits
and wines produced in the region. You might consider seeing Mount St. Helens and
take notice of nature’s splendor and its ability to recover from catastrophic
volcanic emissions, or visit Crater Lake to the south, Oregon’s brilliantly
blue showpiece and national park. The parks beckon visitors from around the
world with hiking, photography, river rafting, camping, and a long list of other
outdoor activities. The conference will arrange a selection of programs for you
and your companions that will provide an attractive shopping bag of alternative
activities.
This year we welcome a return of the International Workshop on Room-Temperature
Semiconductor Detectors (RTSD). The conference organizers have chosen to hold
the RTSD in conjunction with the IEEE NSS and MIC meetings for the purpose of
encouraging greater information exchange between scientists and engineers
working to develop semiconductor radiation detectors and imaging arrays and to
increase the overall number of oral presentations and posters. Joint sessions
between the different groups are planned to bring together people with common
interests, build synergy, and hopefully offer the right environment for the
creation of new and fruitful discussions.
We are looking forward to a technically stimulating and socially invigorating
experience in one of the most beautiful locations in the Pacific Northwest. I
urge you to participate and share your data, energy, experience and knowledge
with your colleagues, and to explore new ways to cooperate and collaborate.
I look forward to seeing you and wish you a memorable, enjoyable stay in
Portland.
Ralph B. James
General Chairman
rjames@bnl.gov