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From the start of the 1960’s there was interest
from various groups around the country to form
some type of national working group. Initiative
came from James Browne of Melbourne in 1965
to form a society. The result was that the Vacuum
Physics Group (VPG) of the Australian Institute
of Physics (AIP) was formally constituted in
December 1966. The affairs of the Group were
administered by a National Committee which
rotated biennially between the States of Australia.
In addition State Representatives were elected to
organise local activities such as talks, seminars
and one-day events. Membership of the VPG
rose to an enthusiastic 200.
By invitation, in 1971, the VPG became a member
of the IUVSTA and nominated Councillors to the
IUVSTA Executive Council, and representatives to
the various IUVSTA Divisions. During the 1970’s
the sphere of vacuum science research grew
considerably with many laboratories conducting
vacuum science, surface science, applied
surface science, thin film and plasma research
that spanned broad areas from earth sciences,
biological sciences, the physical sciences, and
many areas of engineering.
Between 1973 and 1983, a fairly well equipped
teaching facility for vacuum science and
technology was developed at the Footscray
Institute of Technology in Melbourne. At FIT, the
staff of the Applied Physics Department included
three members, Ernie Hazlett, Kevin Lawlor, and
Tony Simpson. By 1973 the Department had
acquired a few vacuum systems covering rotary
vane, diffusion, sorb. TSP and ion pumping, and
gauges covering the vacuum and high vacuum
pressure ranges. By 1976, two of the three
vacuum experienced staff (KL and TS), targeted
the needs of local industry in the area of vacuum
technology training.
In 1977 and 1978 a number of well attended
2 and 3 day short courses were held in Melbourne
in the summer of each year. By 1981, the
establishment at FIT, of a one year postgraduate
diploma in Vacuum Science, Technique and
Application offered by the Applied Physics
Department, cemented the place of vacuum
physics within the Department and guaranteed
the space needed for a well equipped vacuum
training laboratory.
During the same period by 1978, when the
6thAustralian Vacuum Conference was held, the
newsletter had ceased circulation and there was
no longer any local state-based activity which
was mainly due to the fact that much of the work
in vacuum science had shifted to other areas of
science such as Chemistry. However the vacuum
technology short course program, which had
been established and continually presented by
the FIT staff since 1973, remained in demand
and revenue from this allowed the Group, and
its hard core supporters in the AIP, to remain
financial and active within the IUVSTA.
During 1988, a steering committee consisting
of representatives from two Australian vacuum
equipment manufacturers, three importers
of vacuum equipment, government research
laboratories and academic institutions carefully
deliberated the issue of starting an Australian
vacuum society. Key members of this group
were Tony Simpson, Don Swingler, Kevin Lawlor
and Ray Carter. As a result of this initiative,
during the second half of 1989, the completely
A number of famous groups within the general sphere of vacuum science and technology
established themselves during the 1950’s. From the 1960’s onwards the number of scientists
working in the areas of vacuum science, technique and application has grown strongly, today
reaching into the thousands.
VACUUM SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA
Vacuum science, technology, and application in Australia
from 1950-2018 – Tony Simpson and Anton P.J. Stampfl