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