Paul K. Predecki - Böcker

The 37th Annual Denver Conference on Applications of X-Ray Analysis was held August 1-5, 1988, at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort and Conference Center, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. As usual, alternating with x-ray diffraction, the emphasis this year was x-ray fluorescence, but as has been the pattern for several occasions over the last few years, the Plenary Session did not deal with that subject, specifically. In an attempt to introduce the audience to one of the new developments in x-ray analysis, the title of the session was "High Brilliance Sources/Applications," and dealt exclusively with synchrotron radiation, a topic which has made a very large impact on the x-ray community over the last decade. As the organizer and co-chairman of the Plenary Session (with Paul Predecki), it is my responsibility to report on that session here. The Conference had the privilege of obtaining the services of some of the preeminent practitioners of research using this remarkable x-ray source; they presented the audience with unusually lucid descriptions of the work which has been accomplished in the development and application of the continuous, high intensity, tunable, polarized and collimated x-rays available from no facility other than these specialized storage rings. The opening lecture (and I use that term intentionally) was an enthusiastic description of "What is Synchrotron Radiation?" by Professor Boris Batterman of Cornell University and the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Sourc(! (CHESS).

The 43rd Annual Conference on Applications ofX-ray Analysis was held August 1-5, 1994, at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Conference Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Denver X-Ray Conference has evolved from the 1950's into an international forum for the interaction of scientists, engineers and technologists interested in the use of x-rays in materials characterization. It has not only acted as a venue but has both stimulated and nurtured many of the principal developments in this field over the years. The major changes that have been occurring on the national and international scene as a result of the end of the cold war have dramatic-ally affected the way the materials community does business. The removal of defense priorities and development funds from most new materials initiatives has stimulated the char­ acterization communities to look to increasing the speed of their methods. This is being accom­ plished via the development of very fast dynamic characterization procedures which can rapidly and intelligently monitor and optimize the formation of a desired microstructure. The develop­ ment of intelligent characterization procedures applied in real-time during the manufacturing process can lead to the ability to design desired microstructures. Another potential advantage to this approach is its ability to characterize the actual amount of material which goes into a final product; permitting a rapid transition from R&D to manufacturing by avoiding the prob­ lems associated with scale-up.

The 39th Denver Conference on Applications of X-ray Analysis was held July 31-August 4, 1995, at the Sheraton Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The year 1995 was a special year for the X-ray analysis community, since it represented the 100th anniversary ofthe discovery ofX-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. In commemoration of this event, the Plenary Session of the conference was entitled "THE ROENTGEN COMMEMORATIVE SESSION:1895-1995, "100 YEARS OF PROGRESS IN X-RA Y SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS". It is interesting to note that while we celebrate 100 years ofthe use ofX-ray techniques in general, and about 80 years ofX-ray diffraction and spectroscopy in particular, the Denver X-ray Conference has been in place for about half ofthat time period! Like the X-ray methods it represents, the Denver Conference on Applications ofX-ray Analysis has grown and matured, has survived the rigors oftime, and today, provides the worlds' best annual forum for the exchange of experiences and developments in the various fields ofX-ray analysis. Imagine, when the Denver Conference started in 1951, there were no personal computer- in fact, there were no computers, period! There was no SEM, no microprobe, there were no Si(Li) detectors, no transistors, no synchrotrons, Hugo Rietveld was a child, and many members who regularly attend Denver Meetings today, weren't even born yet! As I write this foreword, a copy of volurne 1 of Advances in X-ray Analysis lays in front of me on my desk.

The 33rd Annual Denver Conference on Applications of X-Ray Analysis was held July 30-August 3. 1984. on the campus of the University of Denver. Following the recent tradition of alternating plenary lecture topics between X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence at the confer­ ence. the plenary sessions dealt with topics of X-ray fluorescence. Prof. H. Aiginger presented a plenary lect~re on TOTAL REFLECTANCE X-RAY SPECTROMETRY which admirably described this relatively new technique. J. C. Russ discussed XRF AND OTHER SURFACE ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES which gave an excellent overview of the role XRF plays in a modern analytical laboratory. J. E. Taggart. Jr. described THE ROLE OF XRF IN A MODERN GEOCHEMICAL LABORATORY and presented many case histories of the configura­ tion of analytical equipment in several geochemical laboratories. The plenary lectures demonstrated both the dynamic nature of research in X-ray fluorescence. and the important role X-ray spectrom­ etry plays in the arsenal of analytical methods found in modern labora­ tories. Total reflectance X-ray spectrometry takes advantage of con­ sideration of the geometry of the X-ray optics. Potentially. new sample types may be considered as X-ray fluorescence specimens using this technique.