C13. Commission on Physics for Development

Conference Report: XVII Latin American Symposium on Solid State Physics
LaHabana
December 6-9, 2004

Summary of the statistics

• Number of attendees: 222
• Number of women participating, number giving invited papers: 40, 2
• Number of countries participating: 14
• Number of participants from outside the host country: 150
• Number of scientists from developing/disadvantaged countries whose travel has been assisted and the amount spent: 13 participants (5200 USD)
• Total funds used to support travel of scientists to attend: 7200 USD

3. Other important comments.

In the Conference there were 6 Plenary talks, 13 invited talks, 58 oral presentations (in eight sessions) and 200 poster contributions (in four poster sessions).

There was a Young researcher award of 500 ¬ sponsored by Willey- VCH. This prize was divided between two participants: Clara Calderón from Colombia and Aimé Pelaiz from Cuba.

In the closing ceremony was decided that the XVIII Symposium will held in Mexico in 2006.

Social activities: Since the registration fees included the lunches, lunch time resulted a much appropriated space for discussions and contacts among participants. The lunches were at the Al Medina Restaurant. There was also a conference banquet on Thursday night in the Old Square and a concert on Monday night. There was also an excursion to Varadero beach on Friday.

Most important topics: Nanostructures and in general low dimensional physics related to different systems was a very hot topic during the meeting. Some talks and presentations were devoted to optoelectronic materials and devices. Characterization of solids by different structural and optical techniques together with modeling and simulations were also important subjects of the symposium.

We have not noticed any problem for participants regarding Visas to enter in Cuba. As far as I know, the meeting was not considered as an international one by United States authorities. This could limit the participation of some US scientists.

The IUPAP support was acknowledged in every publication (announcements, web site, abstract booklet) and also in the opening ceremony of the Conference. The members of the IUPAP Cuban Liason Committee participated in the Opening Ceremony.

Proceedings will be published in Phisica Status Solidi journal. The guest editors will be: M. Sánchez and O. de Melo.

Osvaldo de Melo
Chairman
SLAFES 2004