Preface for The Eighth Japan-Russia Seminar on Semiconductor Surfaces (JRSSS-8)

This volume is the collection of papers presented at the Eighth Japan-Russia Seminar on Semiconductor Surfaces (JRSSS-8) held at the Katahira Sakura Hall and at the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University during October 19—23, 2008.

The idea of this seminar was born in 1991 when Prof. K. Oura and Prof. V. G. Lifshits met each other for the first time. It was discussed and confirmed that such seminar could be an excellent opportunity for direct exchange of information and personal contacts among Russian and Japanese colleagues. As a result, the first Russian-Japan seminar on Semiconductor Surfaces was held in Vladivostok, Russia in 1993. By 2009, eight seminars have already been held [four times in Vladivostok (1993, 1998, 2002, 2006) and four times in Japan (1995 Osaka, 2000 Nagoya, 2004 Toyama and 2008 Sendai)].

The subjects of the seminar include all kinds of surface and interface properties of semiconductors and other materials, such as surface and interface structures, surface phase transition, surface reaction, metal-semiconductor junctions, insulator-semiconductor junctions, epitaxial growth, nano-structures, tunneling phenomena, and electric, thermal and mechanical properties of solid surfaces and interfaces, etc. Original research papers or original review papers are published in e-Journal of Surface Science and Nano-Technology as proceedings of the seminar after peer review processes.

JRSSS-8 attracted enthusiastic participations of scientists from Japan (27), Russia (26), Korea (1), Taiwan (1) and Czech Republic (1). The seminar was successful in many aspects. The quality and the level of presentations were excellent and fruitful discussion was stimulated very much among participants. The social activities included a welcome reception, Imoni party, an excursion to Matsushima bay area and a farewell party at Akiu Spa. They went on in very at-home atmospheres.

The success of JRSSS-8 was greatly dependent on the participants. Thank you very much all the participants and those involved in the organizing and local committees. The next seminar is planned to be held in Vladivostok in 2010.

September, 2009

Shozo Kono

IMRAM, Tohoku University, Sendai

Co-chair of JRSSS-8

Alexander Saranin

IACP, FEB of Russian Academy of Science, Vladivostok

Co-chair of JRSSS-8