This conference will be interdisciplinary forum for exchange of knowledge on the latest experimental results and theoretical advances in superconductivity and/or magnetism. The program will be designed in order i) to bring together world recognized experts whose diverse expertise should stimulate discussions and push cutting edge (interdisciplinary) research and collaborations. ii) Explore some of the big challenges and convergences raised by “unconventional” superconductors and/or magnets. The selected specific topics are those whose emergence and rapid development are thought to be most relevant in making definite progress and open new directions.  Moreover, organizers will make every effort so that all important issues will be addressed clearly during the unhampered discussions which are the hallmark of ICSM-2008.

High critical temperature superconductivity in cuprates raises the crucial point of the role of doping in addressing any mechanism. Whether lightly doped cuprates are inherently different from heavily doped, cuprates -presumably more conventional- requires scrutinizing the phase diagram and the nature of the pseudogap phase. The interplay between superconductivity, magnetism, quantum critically -most effectively studied in heavy fermions, and in rapid evolution in this field- may be central in both theoretical and experimental approaches. We also consider a small workshop on MgB2 during the conference. All these phenomena may be thought of as pertaining to the concept of emergence of new states of matter out of complex interactions.

The search for new materials is a hallmark of the field. Superconductivity at the nanoscale (e.g. carbon nanotubes and nanodevices) will also be addressed, as a key for new developments. We also consider a forum for spintronics, device physics, spin valves and giant magnetoresistive devices, hard discs for personal computers.

We will strongly encourage speakers to emphasize the presentation of new, unpublished work. We will ensure that discussions enlighten the outcome and the unsolved questions, and explore new directions. We strongly encourage students at the PhD and Post-doc level to present their ongoing work in the poster sessions. We also strongly encourage those from groups underrepresented in science to apply (some funding has been earmarked for members of these groups).

We do look forward to welcoming you, your family members and/or partners and your colleagues at our conference in one of the most attractive sites of Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Ali GENCER

Serap SAFRAN

On Behalf of Conference Executive Committee