XXI International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes (ICSLS 2012)

Abstract

The 21st International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes, ICSLS, was held in the historic main building of St Petersburg State University (St. Petersburg, Russia) on 3–9 June 2012. The event continued the tradition started in 1978 in Meudon Observatory in Paris. Representatives of line shape physics have since met every two years in different locations in Europe and North America. The most recent events were held in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada (2010), Valladolid, Spain (2008), and Auburn, AL (USA). Traditionally, the conferences consider experimental and theoretical issues of studying spectral line shapes, diagnostic utilization of spectral line profiles observed in absorption, emission or scattering of electromagnetic radiation by atoms, molecules, and clusters in different environments, including neutral environments, laboratory low and fusion plasmas, astrophysical conditions, and planetary atmospheres.The Conference was attended by over 100 professionals from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and New Zealand. The conference program was put together in such a way so as to exclude any parallel sessions. Five afternoon sessions featured 19 invited talks and 20 oral contributions, and two evening sessions offered 61 poster presentations, including post-deadline posters. This setup allowed for a relaxed and unhurried discussion of results and facilitated productive networking.The invited talks were selected by recommendation of members of the International Scientific Committee. The Organizers would like to thank all the members of the International Scientific Committee for their proposals on the agenda and their valuable advice. When considering candidates for oral contributions, the organizers took into account the suggestions and preferences of potential conference participants. When selecting the theses of poster presentations, the organizers focused on the topics in line with the theme of the conference and studies with well-formulated results. It must be noted that this year's conference included a noticeably larger number of reports on astrophysical applications and physics of planetary atmospheres. Another significant trend was related to a new area of inquiry: low temperature spectra, near-surface processes, and control and management of new technological processes. There were more presentations on elementary processes during the formation of spectral lines.Most of the presented studies were included in the Conference Proceedings publication. For the first time ever the proceedings will be published as a volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series, published by the Institute of Physics (UK), making it possible to access the materials of the conference online. All published studies underwent peer review. The organizers would like to thank all the reviewers who found time to review the submissions against a very tight deadline during the summer.Professor N G Skvortsov, Vice-Rector for Research of St Petersburg State University, opened the conference. His speech was followed by a brief welcome message from Professor A Devdariani of St Petersburg State University, Deputy Chair of the Organizing Committee. An informal welcome party was held before the opening session. The cultural program of the event included various sightseeing tours, and a hydrofoil boat ride to the fountain city of Peterhof, where the delegates toured the park and attended a conference dinner. Organizers would like to express their appreciation to St Petersburg musicians, P Laul and D Kouzov for an excellent classical music concert.The conference included a meeting of the International Scientific Committee the minutes of the event are included in this volume (article number 011004). Most importantly, the next meeting, 22nd ICSLS, has been scheduled for 2014 in The Center for Laser Applications, The University of Tennessee Space Institute, US. Professor Christian Parriger will coordinate the organization. Organizers of the St Petersburg Conference would like to wish him and his colleagues every success for the next conference in Tennessee.The St Petersburg Conference was supported by the grants from St Petersburg State University, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Dynasty, Dmitry Zimin's Foundation for Non-Profit Programs. The Organizing Committee would like to thank them for their support. A word of thanks also goes to staff of the Research Department of St Petersburg State University for assistance with administrative issues, and to Mr S Slyusarev for creating the Conference logo and website. I would like to thank personally Professor A Kouzov, and Dr V Alexeev for providing much support in the process of preparing and holding the event in 2012. Alexander Z Devdariani St Petersburg University Sponsors St Petersburg University Dynasty Foundation Russian Foundation for Basic Research