IOP Groups

In 1968, a discussion group was formed by Professor George Carter coming from Liverpool to Salford University to explore the mutual interest in the UK in the rapidly developing field of atomic collisions in solids. The subject of course had been around for a long time, but the growing possibilities at that time for new applications for energetic ions for analysis and as tools for modifying surfaces had created a surge of interest in academic, government and industrial circles leading to theoretical and experimental studies in many research establishments around the Country. The new Group was chaired by the late Bill Grant with John Colligon as Secretary; later Mike Thompson (now Sir Michael Thompson) moving from AERE, Harwell to take up a new position at Sussex University, took over the Chair.

As interest grew from around the UK, it was decided to establish the Group with the Institute of Physics and the first committee included in addition to those mentioned, Archie Howie and Roger Heckingbottom. Prominent in this field at the time and active in the development of the now officially named "Atomic Collisions Group" were the Universities of Salford (Electrical Engineering), Sussex (Physics) and Surrey, the prime mover in the latter being Professor Ken Stevens within the Electrical Engineering Department. All of these groups possessed substantial ion accelerator facilities which would be expanded in the coming years. A natural outcome of the formation of the new IOP group was the establishment of MSc courses in each of the Universities in atomic collisions in solids drawing upon visiting professors from AERE, Harwell, in particular Geoff Dearnaley, Harry Freeman and Stuart Nelson, names well-known for their contributions to science and technology.

An important aspect of the UK effort in this field was the coordination and synergy between the IOP group, the universities and the government research organisations. The creation of the MSc course led to a substantial number of students with practical and theoretical atomic collision skills feeding into industry and all this momentum led to important grants from the then Science Research Council and AERE.

A major event that resulted from the Group was the International Conference on Atomic Collisions in Solids held in 1969 at the University of Sussex, published by North Holland in 1970 and reviewed in summary form by the writer in the journal Vacuum. The occasion was noteworthy for the participation by leading scientists of the time including Jaap Kistemaker, Jurgens Koch and Jens Lindhard, all pupils of Niels Bohr. There were also young scientists present, many of whom were later to become leaders of the fields in their own countries (see photo).

Click here for personnel numbering key for the above photo.

Click here for personnel name key for the above photo.

The field of atomic collisions in solids blossomed in succeeding years, but by the mid-nineties it was felt that a change of name and emphasis was needed to reflect the broadening range of applications and to specifically include plasma-based techniques. Hence, under the Chairmanship of Alan Webb the name was changed to the Ion and Plasma  Surface Interactions Group.

Footnote: It is intended to expand this section further. Contributions from past members (and corrections) are welcomed and can be e-mailed to the Secretary.

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