JPhysB at ICPEAC XXIX

By Isabelle Auffret-Babak on August 7, 2015

From 21-25 July 2015 I was in the stunning, albeit very hot, city of Toledo (Spain) to attend ICPEAC XXIX a conference, which brings many of our Authors, Referees and Board members together.

Many of you will know that, historically, ICPEAC takes place over a week, including a weekend. As I could, sadly, only be there for the first half of the conference, the highlights below focus on this first period of time exclusively.

On the highs I would certainly list:

Hearing the Opening lecture from the “father of femtochemistry” and 1999 Chemistry Nobel laureate, Professor Ahmed Zewail (Caltech) on 4D Electron microscopy, and the Public lecture by one of the two 2012 Physics Nobel laureates, Professor Serge Haroche (Collège de France) celebrating “50 years of laser revolutions in physics”. While I already had the opportunity to listen to a more technical talk by Professor Haroche a few years ago, I could not agree more with one of his latest slides acknowledging the immense contribution that atomic physicists have made to other fields of physics, proving how very active and creative this community is. (Here is a link to Professor Haroche’s biography).
Interacting with members of the community, hearing about their experience of working with us, receiving positive feedback, but recording any difficulties, which authors had faced in the publication process to understand what our team should address to offer a better service.
Listening to the plenary talk ‘Towards atto-nanophysics’ by Professor Maciej Lewenstein (ICFO) as well as a great variety of talks given during the ATTO, XFEL and Ultrafast sessions, which are high on the list of JPhysB’s subject areas for development.
Last but not least, the organizing committee had arranged a science camp for kids aged between 5 and 12, so Toledo was definitely the place to be this summer to meet the generation after next of bright scientists.

Please check out the ICPEACKER newsletters (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) to find out more of what has happened at ICPEAC XXIX and hear about postdoc positions.

Toledo is certainly a city that puts your orienteering skills to the test, but the challenge was certainly worth it. Now, ICPEAC XXX will be in Cairns, Australia in 2 years’ time. JPhysB will definitely be there. Will you?