SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Vacuum Technology started in India in the early
1930’s. Swami Jnaananda wrote the first reco-
gnized text book on Vacuum Technology in
the 1930’s, followed by Pr. Parameswaran,
who was the first one to start a R & D program
primarily in vacuum technology. In the late
1950’s, Pr. D. Y. Phadke at TIFR (Tata Institute
of Fundamental Research), cordinated a
number of programmes related to Technology –
Linear Accelerator, Crystal Technology,
Mass Spectrometry, Seismology, TIFRAC
(the first indigenous Computer development
using vacuum tubes as switching devices).
Simultaneously, the Indian Industry also started
manufacturing vacuum pumps, especially due
to the demands of the Electric Bulb industry.
Soon after with the starting of Atomic Energy
Establishment Trombay, by Homi Bhabha, in
the early 1960’s Vacuum Technology research in
India, grew at a very rapid pace.
The first Sputter Ion Pump and Sorption Pumps
were developed in the early 1970’s in Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre, thus the era of “clean”
ultrahigh vacuum started. Soon after Ionization
gauges were also made and it became easier
to produce ultrahigh vacuum and measure it
as well. In the last few decades, several large
vacuum systems such as Electron Synchrotron,
Tokamak Fusion Reactor, Ion Storage Rings
and high energy accelerators have flowered
around the country and IVS has played a big
role in imparting vacuum technology education
in India.
In order to educate students, Technicians
and Scientists, Indian Vacuum Society, has
been conducting a number of short term
courses at graduate and technician’s level
on vacuum science and technology. So far
IVS has conducted 45 Short term courses
(typically 2-3 days duration) at different parts
of the country and imparted training to more
than 1,200 personnel in the field. Recently, IVS
has published a book on Vacuum Science &
Technology compiled by Dr K. G. Bhushan, that
is provided along with IVS conducted Vacuum
Technology courses.
IVS conducts a National Symposia once in
two years and every alternate two years, an
International Symposium on Vacuum Science
and Technology is organized. The main topics for
the National and the International Symposia are
chosen appropriately to coincide with the major
Research goals of the country.
In addition, IVS also organizes a number of
special lectures and workshops on topical
subjects such as Leak Detection, Freeze
Drying of foods, Vacuum Metallurgy, Vacuum
packaging, etc., routinely. The society has
been helping in the UNESCO sponsored Post-
Graduate level courses in Vacuum Science,
Technology and Applications conducted by
The Indian Vacuum Society (IVS) was established in 1970, under the leadership of eminent
Scientists and Academicians, such as Pr. D. Y. Phadke, Dr. Pramod Naik, Pr. C. Balakrishnan,
Dr. P. Vijendran and others, with the broad objectives to promote, encourage and develop the
growth of Vacuum Science, Techniques and Applications in India. Since then IVS has grown
into a multi-facetted organization spanning the length and breadth of the country.Today, there
are more than 925 individual Life Members, several sustaining members from Industry and
R&D institutions spread across the country.The society is head quartered in Mumbai with its
own office and registration, as well as two working chapters, one at Calcutta and the other at
Hyderabad. The society is managed by an Executive Committee which is elected every three
years.
INDIAN VACUUM SOCIETY (IVS)
First written by A. S. Raja Rao (2001)
Updated by Dr. K. G. Bhushan (2017)