Manuscript Deadline: June 9, 2026

The Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A & B (JVST A & B) are planning Special Topic Collections: Spotlight on Early-Career Breakthroughs in Surface and Interface Science and Nanotechnology. These Special Topic Collections will feature articles on all areas that fall within the scopes of JVST A & B, authored or co-authored by early-career professionals, scientists, and engineers who are currently working towards their Ph.D. or within 10 years of receiving their Ph.D. 

One of the articles in these collections will be selected for the JVST Early Career Author Award. All early career professionals who have authored or co-authored the article will be recognized as awardees and presented with certificates, and the corresponding author will be awarded a registration waiver to attend AVS 72 in Pittsburgh, PA, November 8-13, 2026. The winning article will be widely promoted via email and on social and professional networks.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

JVST A: 

• Applied and fundamental surface science
• Atomic layer deposition and atomic layer etching
• Electronic, photonic, and magnetic materials
• Thin films and interfaces
• Plasma science and technology 
• Surface coatings and engineering

JVST B:

• Electronic, optical, and optoelectronic devices
• Devices for energy conversion and storage
• Lithography
• Microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems and devices (MEMS & NEMS)
• Nanometer science and technology
• Spintronics and magnetic devices
• Vacuum nanoelectronics, vacuum measurements, and vacuum science and technology

See Recent Collections:

Authors are encouraged to use the JVST article template. During submission, you will have an opportunity to indicate that your paper is a part of this collection in either journal by choosing the Special Topic Collection: “Spotlight on Early-Career Breakthroughs in Surface and Interface Science” (JVST A) or “Spotlight on Early-Career Breakthroughs in Nanotechnology” (JVST B). All early-career authors on a paper are invited to include a photo and a biography of up to 250 words with their article submission. The photos and bios of all early-career authors will be printed at the end of article.

Guest Editors:

Rachael Farber, University of Kansas

Xiao Shu, South China University of Technology

Tomojit Chowdhury, University of Chicago

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