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The organisational structure of the IVS was
modified significantly through the 1990s due to
the formation of formal divisions within the society.
In 1992, the request of the Association for Crystal
Growth to join the IVS as a division was accepted.
Subsequently, the Hydride Society, whose size
had dwindled to the point that a separate entity
was not viable, became a formal division of the
society. In 1999 the Israel Society for Plasma
Science and Technology also became a formal
division within the vacuum society. This alliance
has served several purposes: the activities of
the IVS, which include vacuum, thin films, hard
coatings, dielectrics, sensors, surface science,
photovoltaics, nanoscience, biointerfaces, overlap
strongly with the activities of the divisions so
that there were many common members of
the different societies and interest in holding
joint sessions in conferences; governmental
requirements concerning non-profit organizations
have become very cumbersome so that this
alliance reduces and consolidates the amount
of bureaucratic work which must be tended
to – the IVS is managed on a completely voluntary
basis with exception of a part-time administrative
secretary and consulting/tax forms preparation by
an accounting firm.
Another significant change began in year 2000
when a pilot collaboration was initiated with the
American Vacuum Society (AVS). under this
program, the AVS subsidizes speakers (3 in year
2000, 1 in subsequent years) to attend the IVS
conference and the IVS covered local expenses.
The AVS speaker gave a plenary talk, and a scientific
and tourist program was planned in coordination
with the speaker. This pilot led to a succession of
such visits and eventually in 2009 a cooperation
agreement was signed between the IVS and AVS.
This program has been very successful and led to
a number of further scientific collaborations with the
visitors. The invited AVS speaker not only partipates
in the annual one day conference, but also gives
part of a one day short course on a focus topic
the day following the conference. The IVS is also
occasionally able to offer financial support to Israeli
students who attend the AVS.
The Israel Vacuum Society – Science, Technology, and Applications (IVS) was constituted and
registered as the Israeli Society for Vacuum Technology (ISVT) in October 1968 by a group
comprised predominantly of technicians, and immediately applied for IUVSTA membership.
(The society name-change occurred in 1992, and was meant to reflect the breadth of our
fields of interest.) It was provisionally accepted as the 16th member of IUVSTA in January
1969 and has been an active participant in IUVSTA activities since then through its delegates,
Councillors and Division Committee members. The Chairman of the first Board of Directors
was Dr. Alexander Roth, who authored the well known books “Vacuum Technology”, and
“Vacuum SealingTechniques” and who later became our first Honorary Member, subsequently
joined by other past chairmen and members – Enrique Gruenbaum, Nicholas Klein, Yoram
Shapira, Yona Siderer, Reshef Tenne, David Cahen, Sidney Cohen, Yossi Rosenwaks, Arie
Zaban, Alon Hoffman,Yaron Paz, and Shachar Richter.The initial enrollment in ISVT was more
than 200 scientists, engineers and technicians. The number of IVS members is now greater
than 400 but this number is comprised of recent attendees of the annual symposium and is
not indicative of the number of active members. Whereas initially, the members comprised
scientists and technicians that worked in various research and industry establishments in
Israel, today the societal members are largely from academia with only minor participation
from industry and government labs.
THE ISRAEL VACUUM SOCIETY (IVS)
compiled by Sidney Cohen