- theoretical
and experimental research
- investigation
of the physical aspects of the interactions of radiations with biological
systems
- education
and training
- utilisation
of radiations for peaceful purposes
This
is accomplished by arranging and supporting national, regional and international
conferences and workshops, encouraging the establishment of co-ordinated
international scientific research programmes and disseminating relevant
information concerning radiation physics to both the scientific community
and the general public.
In
conjunction with local institutes IRPS also arranges major regular symposia,
designated International Symposia on Radiation Physics (ISRP), in interesting
locations. Proceedings of these Symposia, which are currently held every
3 years, are peer-reviewed and published in Radiation Physics and
Chemistry, which is the official journal of the Society. Two Nobel
Prize winners for Physics, viz. Georges Charpak and Carlo Rubbia are
members of the Society. The membership is currently drawn from 57 countries
of whom about half are from developed and half are from developing countries.
iTHEMBA
LABS
iThemba
Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS) [formerly
National Accelerator Centre] is a national research laboratory which
provides facilities for:
- basic
and applied research
- radiation
therapy
- radionuclide
production
- advanced
education and training
The
laboratory is located about 35 km from downtown Cape Town and has a
full-time staff complement of about 250. There are typically more than
100 post-graduates and other students undergoing training. The main
facility is a separated sector cyclotron capable of accelerating protons
to energies of 200 MeV and heavier ions to much higher energies. It
is the largest accelerator in the Southern Hemisphere.
Two
classical cyclotrons are used to inject light ions or heavy and polarised
ions respectively into the main accelerator. Other accelerators on site
are a 6 MV medical linear accelerator and a 6 MV CN Van der Graaff electrostatic
generator. iThemba LABS operates the only proton (200 MeV) and fast
neutron (66 MeV p + Be) therapy units in the Southern Hemisphere and
is the only facility at which both modalities are available.
The
main scientific activities are devoted to medical
radiation, radionuclide production
for medical and industrial use, nuclear
physics and materials science.
The major nuclear physics experimental facilities on the large cyclotron
include a large gamma ray detector array for studying heavy ion interactions
and a K-600 magnetic spectrometer for light ion studies. The Van der
Graaff generator is utilised largely for studies in materials science,
which includes an extensive programme in analytical research. Facilities
include a nuclear microprobe and an x-ray diffractometer. The neutron
physics research programme utilises both the separated sector cyclotron
and the Van der Graaff generator.
CAPE
TOWN AND SOUTH AFRICA
Where
two oceans meet
Few countries rival South Africa's scenic beauty: from
exquisite snow white beaches, rocky coves and charming fishing villages
to majestic mountains, green forests, rolling farmlands and semi-desert
plains.
With
its modern infrastructure and economy, pulsating cities, incomparable
game reserves, varied recreational amenities, cultural diversity and
pleasant climate, along with its hospitable people, South Africa, the
Rainbow Nation, has much to offer visitors.
Cape
Town is a spectacular, fascinating and cosmopolitan metropolis with
a rich and varied heritage and boasts many natural splendours. It is
dominated by the awesome crags of Table Mountain and encircled by the
azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the emerald green vineyards of
the Cape Winelands.
The
city is an eclectic conglomeration of striking architecture, sophisticated
modern facilities, frenetic street markets, exciting entertainment venues,
elegant restaurants and splendid shopping precincts.
The
blend of African, Asian and European cultures contributes to Cape Town's
unique, magnetic appeal. October is usually a very pleasant time of
the year in Cape Town with average maximum and minimum temperatures
of 21.3 °C and 10.4 °C respectively. On average it rains on 8 days with
a total rainfall of 33 mm.
Information
on South Africa and Cape Town is widely available on the internet. Helpful
websites are:
www.southafrica.net
www.passportsa.co.za
www.gardenroute.co.za
www.cape-town.net
www.capeinfo.com
www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/cape_town/index.html
TRAVEL
Cape
Town is easily reached from all major cities using South African Airways
(SAA) and other international carriers. International flights
terminate in either Cape Town or Johannesburg (from which there is a
2-hour flight to Cape Town). Several carriers, including SAA, British
Airways, Nationwide and Kulula.com operate on domestic routes.
Visas
will be required for many delegates, who should contact the nearest
South African consulate.
MEETING
VENUES AND ACCOMMODATION
ISRP-9
scientific sessions and accommodations will be at the luxurious,
but very affordable, 4-star
Protea Hotel President which is located
on a spectacular seafront site in the suburb of Bantry Bay, about 5
km from the city centre. At the exchange rate of US$1.0=R10.0 (South
African Rand) the room tariffs start from US$36 (per person sharing)
and US$65 (single) per day.
More
modest accommodations will also be provided nearby. The tariffs here
start from US$14 (sharing) and US$27 (single).
The
lodgings are within walking distance of beaches and numerous shops,
bars and restaurants. The city centre and the magnificent Victoria and
Alfred Waterfront shopping, hospitality and entertainment complex are
easily accessible by bus or shuttle minibus taxi.
WoRBAT
will be held at iThemba LABS which is about 40 km from the Protea Hotel
President. Transport will be provided for delegates.
SCIENTIFIC
PROGRAMME
The ISRP-9 programme will consist of both oral and poster sessions.
The oral sessions will include invited and contributed papers. The latter
will be selected by the Programme Committee from among the poster submissions
whose main authors indicate their willingness to present the paper orally.
Young
researchers are encouraged to do so as the best paper by a young scientist
in this category will receive a substantial prize, providing that the
paper is of sufficient scientific merit.
The
presentations will cover all aspects of radiation physics (including
non-ionizing radiation) encompassing, but not limited to:
. fundamental
processes
. sources
and detectors
. physical
and material sciences
. medicine
and biology
. space,
earth and environmental sciences
. archaeology
and art studies
. new
technologies and industrial applications.
The
full text of oral papers and refereed extended abstracts (2 pages) of
poster presentations will be published in a special issue of Radiation
Physics and Chemistry.
Only
English may be used for the presentations and publications.
The
Workshop on Radiation Based Analytical Techniques will comprise an overview
of the field, but with major emphasis on x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction
and particle-induced x-ray emission. The programme will serve as a refresher
course for those working in the field and as an introduction to those
young physicists who may be interested in entering it.
The
lectures will be given by both local and international experts.
SOCIAL
PROGRAMME
The
social programme will include a cocktail function
during the Workshop, a welcome party for
Symposium delegates, a visit to iThemba LABS
followed by a barbeque, the Symposium banquet
and an excursion.
PROGRAMME
COMMITTEE (Confirmed) :
M
J Cooper (UK) [Co-Chair]
D C Creagh (Australia) [Co-Chair]
P Bergstrom (USA)
D A Bradley (UK)
R J Keddy (South Africa)
A Ljubicic (Croatia)
A S Paschoa (Brazil)
S C Roy (India)
C Theron (South Africa)
INTERNATIONAL
ADVISORY BOARD
(Confirmed) :
M J Cooper (UK) [Chair]
M Berrada (Austria)
M A Gomaa (Egypt)
J H Hubbell (USA)
G F Knoll (USA)
D McLean (Australia)
V K R Murty (Botswana)
L Musilek (Czech Republic)
A P de L Policarpo (Portugal)
B Sinha (India)
L Zheng-ming (China)
FURTHER
INFORMATION :
ISRP-9/WoRBAT
information is available on the ISRP-9 website:
www.medrad.tlabs.ac.za/isrp9.htm.
The
website will be updated
regularly
with the latest information.
General
enquiries
should be addressed to the local organiser :
Dr
D T L Jones
iThemba
LABS
P
O Box 722
Somerset
West 7129 SOUTH
AFRICA
Tel:
+27 21 843 1336
Fax: +27 21 843 3382
E-mail: jones@tlabs.ac.za
Enquiries
related to the scientific programmes of ISRP-9 and WoRBAT should
be addressed to one of the Co-Chairpersons of the Programme Committee
:
Prof M J Cooper e-mail
: phsac@titanic.csv.warwick.ac.uk
Prof
D C Creagh e-mail
: dudleyc@ise.canberra.edu.au
Information
on tours or local sightseeing excursions
can be obtained from Springbok Atlas who are the official tour
operators for
ISRP-9/WoRBAT. For assistance or further tourist information please
contact:
Marlese
van Aswegen
Springbok Atlas
P O Box 819
Cape Town 8000 SOUTH
AFRICA
Tel:
+27 21 460 4783
Fax: +27 21 448 0003
E-mail: marlesev@springbokatlas.co.za
SECOND
ANNOUNCEMENT :
The
Second Announcement will be circulated during April 2003 and will include
full registration, accommodation, paper submission, tourist and sightseeing
information and the preliminary scientific programmes.
I
R P S NON-MEMBERS WHO WISH TO BE PLACED ON THE MAILING LIST SHOULD SEND
THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE ORGANISER
ISRP-8,
2000 with Malcolm Cooper, Bikash Sinha, Dan Jones, Don McLean
