The Institute for Amorphous Studies was founded in 1982 as the
international center for the investigation of amorphous mate- rials. It
has since played an important role in promoting the und er- standing of
disordered matter in general. An Institute lecture series on
"Fundamentals of Amorphous Materials and Devices" was held during
1982-83 with distinguished speakers from universities and industry.
These events were free and open to the public, and were attended by many
representatives of the scientific community. The lectures themselves
were highly successful inasmuch as they provided not only formal
instruction but also an opportunity for vigorous and stimulating debate.
That last element could not be captured within the pages of a book I but
the lectures concentrated on the latest advances in the field I which is
why their essential contents are he re reproduced in collective form.
Together they constitute an interdisciplinary status report of the
field. The speakers brought many different viewpoints and a variety of
back- ground experiences io bear on the problems involved I but though
language and conventions vary I the essential unity of the concerns is
very clear I as indeed are the ultimate benefits of the many-sided
approach.