Preface for the proceeding of The 9th International Symposium on Atomic Level Characterization for New Materials and Devices (ALC '13)

The 9th International Symposium “Atomic Level Characterization for New Materials and Devices (ALC '13)” under the auspices of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS): the 141st Committee on Microbeam Analysis was held in the Big Island, Hawaii, gathering more than 250 delegates from about 20 countries. The 141st Committee, which is one of 65 Industry cooperative research committees organized by the JSPS, was established in September 1974 to meet the growing demands of microbeam analysts, users and scientists for further education, innovation and mutual cooperation among industries, governmental institutes and universities. This committee has several goals; developing new methodologies, technologies and microanalysis instrumentation; promoting widely the practical application of these up-to-date technologies to industry; and in particular, encouraging scientists of the next generation in the field of microanalysis.

JSPS-141st Committee on Microbeam Analysis is also the national representative of Japan in IUMAS (International Union of Microbeam Analysis Societies). Hosting of this kind of International symposium, aiming at dissemination and exchange of new achievements, raising young researchers in this field is one of our missions.

The series of international Symposia on ALC has been held approximately biennially, started in 1996, the first being held in Kyoto, followed by the second in Maui, Hawaii, 1997, the third in Nara, 2001, the fourth in Kauai, Hawaii, 2003, the fifth in the Big Island，Hawaii, 2005, the 6th in Kanazawa, 2007, the 7th in Maui, Hawaii, 2009, and the 8th in conjunction with IUMAS-5 in Seoul, Korea, 2011. The ALC is the most active meeting organization in Japan and probably in the world, to promote the science and technology related to microbeam analysis and characterization of materials at the nanometer scale.

The symposium is aimed at establishing the atomic level characterization as the key technology for nanotechnology which has been the focus of much research effort and development in many countries recently. The symposium featured the significant approaches towards atomic leve1 characterization and its applications to a variety of fields such as materials science, mineralogy, geology, energy storage, cosmology, biology and medical examination and treatment.

It is very honorable to give our best award, the JSPS 141st Committee Award, to the distinguished scientists from around the world. We celebrate Dr. Cedric J. Powell, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA, as the laureate. It is also our great pleasure to invite Professor S. Iijima as special lecturer in a plenary session.

Special thanks to our committee members, Prof. G. Mizutani, the chair of the steering committee, Prof. J. Matsuo, the chair of the program committee. Thanks also to Prof. M. Suzuki who carried out most of the practical work of the ALC organization as the secretary. Most of the publication matters have been handled by Prof. H. Yurimoto, the chairman of publication committee. We have to give sincere thanks to Dr. R. Oiwa, the vice-chair of the steering committee, for his big effort to make arrangement of the venue including frequent direct negotiations. We also have to give big thanks to Mr. K. Miyazaki, who contributed much energy for the fund raising from companies as the chair of the finance committee. We also express special thanks to Prof. T. Hayasaka, Dr. T. Sato, Prof. H. Nakahara for their great contribution to the success of the symposium. Invaluable suggestions have been given by Prof. T. Koshikawa and Prof. C. Oshima. Help from Prof. C. S. Fadley, who kindly issued invitation letters for Visa acquisition, is also appreciated.

Lastly, we express our deep appreciation to the financial supports by the committee of University-Industry Cooperation of JSPS and by Suzuki Foundation.

Yahachi Saito

The chair of JSPS-141st Committee on Microbeam Analysis and the chair of ALC '13

Department of Quantum Engineering, Nagoya University