Northern California Chapter of AVS

Providing a Forum for Advancing the Science and Technology of Vacuum-Related Fields

About the Chapter

The AVS - Science and Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing is a volunteer-based, nonprofit technical organization dedicated to advancing the science and technology of vacuum-related fields. Serving around 6,000 members worldwide, AVS is made up of 13 technical divisions and groups and 17  local chapters. Drawing members from materials science and vacuum-related industries, equipment suppliers, universities, and national labs, the Northern California Chapter of AVS (NCCAVS) is the Society's largest--supporting all of Northern California and Nevada with activities centered in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The concentration of semiconductor and magnetics- related industry in Northern California enables the Chapter to aim programs based on its traditional strength in vacuum technology toward exploring processes used in these rapidly growing industries. Through technical symposia, users group meetings, equipment exhibitions, short courses, and other educational activities, the NCCAVS provides opportunities for scientists and technologists from the diverse fields that depend on controlled environments to interact and exchange ideas.

In addition to monthly meetings, each users group typically sponsors a one-day technical program every year. These symposia draw audiences beyond the groups' regular members and often explore one topic in-depth through invited and contributed presentations. The NCCAVS also sponsors one-day programs on topics of interest to AVS members that may not be covered in technical areas served by the users groups.

Every February or March, AVS-sponsored short courses are given in Northern California to provide training in the areas of applied vacuum technology, surface analysis and materials characterization, and thin films and processing. Traditionally held in Santa Clara, the AVS short course program in Northern California offers approximately 15 different classes specifically chosen by the Chapter to meet the needs of the local technical community.

All courses are taught by experts working in their chosen fields, and courses range from overview studies for managers and those new to the field to in-depth advanced studies of the latest developments in a particular technique.

In conjunction with the short course program, the NCCAVS sponsors an Annual Equipment Exhibition to showcase products and services of companies supporting vacuum-related industries. Attracting approximately 200 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees, the NCCAVS Annual Equipment Exhibition is the largest sponsored by any AVS chapter.

To help further the educational goals of the Chapter and the larger AVS organization, the NCCAVS sponsors outreach programs designed to promote science and technology education in high schools, colleges, and universities. The Education Committee supports science fairs, gives training for teaching vacuum technology in the classroom, and coordinates vacuum equipment donations to schools. The Awards Committee administers a scholarship program and provides research grants to qualified graduate students.

To provide a monthly forum for sharing technical knowledge and leading research, the NCCAVS is affiliated with and assists five technical users groups--Chemical Mechanical Polishing, Plasma Etch, Surface/Interface Science, Thin Films, and the West Coast Junction Technology Group. These groups hold regular meetings during which members give technical talks on current developments in the field followed by a group discussion. Membership in each group is free and is not limited to AVS members.

Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) is a fast-growing integrated circuit manufacturing technology. The Chemical Mechanical Polishing Users Group (CMPUG) was formed in October of 1995 to explore the advances and issues associated with this technology. The CMPUG holds monthly meetings and is open to anyone involved in CMP, including those in academia, device or equipment manufacturing, consumables, or consulting. CMPUG membership is diverse and includes IC process and equipment engineers, technicians, and sales and marketing people from suppliers. 

Plasma etching continues to be a significant process technology in Silicon Valley, and the Plasma Etch Users Group (PEUG) continues to be one of the NCCAVS' most successful users groups. The group was formed in 1985 and became a subgroup of the NCCAVS in September of 1986. The PEUG is open to anyone involved in plasma processing, and the group's monthly meetings attract a varied audience--from those new to plasma etching to some of the founders of the industry. 

The Thin Films Users Group provides a forum for engineers from device manufacturers, equipment vendors, and university research labs to investigate new advances in equipment and thin-film processing. Monthly meetings cover topics such as deposition technologies, flat panel displays, and thin-film materials issues in device manufacturing.

West Coast Junction Technology Group (WCJTG)

The West Coast Junction Technology Group (WCJTG) is one of the longest-running groups associated with the NCCAVS. What began as a "consumer action" group to help users interact more effectively with equipment suppliers has evolved into a working technical group composed of engineers from device manufacturers, semiconductor equipment manufacturers, and universities. The WCJTG holds bimonthly meetings.  

Join AVS

Individuals obtain membership in the local chapter by joining the national AVS organization. On a national level, AVS provides a number of resources to members. Each year, the AVS International Symposium features more than 1,200 technical papers and draws approximately 4,000 scientists from around the world. AVS National also sponsors several topical conferences that provide in-depth investigation into a particular technique or field. AVS offers journals, books, monographs, short courses, and videos.

To Contact the AVS West Office:

Della Miller
AVS West
110 Yellowstone Drive, Suite 120
Chico, CA  95973
Tel: 530-896-0477
Fax: 530-896-0487
e-mail: della@avs.org