10^th International Symposium on Ferroic Domains

Prague, Czech Republic
September 20 – 24, 2010

The series of International Symposia on Ferroic Domains and Micro- to Nanoscopic Structures (ISFDs) is devoted to basic and applied aspects of phenomena originating from structural changes in condensed matter connected with breaking of crystal symmetry. The scope of ISFDs covers in particular:

• static and dynamical properties of domain structures and twinning in ferroelectric, ferroelastic, ferroic and multiferroic solids and in mesoscopic phases,
• characterization of natural or artificial ferroic, modulated, relaxor or hierarchical domain-like structures by direct space imaging and diffraction techniques,
• applications based on domain phenomena.

The symposia have been organized in even years in between International and European Meetings on Ferroelectricity:

Venue

The venue of 10-th International Symposium on Ferroic Domains and Micro- to Nanoscopic Structures was Kaiserstejnsky Palace, Malostranske namesti 23/37 (in the middle of the photo below; see a map) in the very heart of the historical centre of the Czech capital, Prague.

City of Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is well known for its historical monuments, classical architecture and rich cultural heritage that continues today in many theaters, concert halls, opera houses and galleries. Come and discover this wonderful city and walk in the footsteps not only of Franz Kafka and Antonin Dvorak but also of Tycho de Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Bernard Bolzano, Christian Doppler, Albert Einstein, Jaroslav Heyrovsky, Vladimir Prelog and others.

Transport from Prague Airport to the Conference venue

Public transport

Bus 119: Prague Airport (Letiste Ruzyne) → Dejvicka (end stop of the bus and Metro line A terminal), then take Metro: Dejvicka → Malostranska (2 stations), then take tram 12 or 20: Malostranska → Malostranske namesti (1 stop, walking distance if not carrying heavy luggage). The journey takes less than 1 hour including the changes and waiting times. The bus stop is situated directly in front of the airport terminal.

Prague public transport is fast, efficient and frequent. Metro and most daily trams and buses operate every day from 5 AM till midnight. Night trams and buses (line numbers beginning with 5) operate throughout the night. Similar to most capitals, the concentration of picpockets is elevated, be aware in the historical centre as well as on your route from/to the airport.

Tickets:
Basic fare of 26 CZK (approx. 1 EUR) entitles the holder to use all means of public transport (Metro, trams, buses and cable car to the Petrin hill) for up to 75 minutes including unlimited number of changes. The ticket must be validated using a yellow box while entering the first bus or tram, or while first entering designated area in Metro. After validation, just keep the ticket with you.

Tickets can be purchased at:

• Public Transport counters in Arrivals Halls of Terminals 1 & 2 (from 7 AM till 10 PM). Recommended option.
• Ticket machine situated at the airport bus stop (CZK coins required). Press the button corresponding to the basic fare of 26 CZK, insert coins and the ticket will be printed for you.
• From a bus driver (petty cash required). Please note that a ticket purchased from a bus driver costs 30 CZK and the passenger should pay by coins or nominally small banknotes. For cashpoint withdrawals, we therefore recommend setting an amount not ending with thousands CZK (200 CZK is a typical monetary quantum a cashpoint can dispense).
• In the city, tickets can be purchased at newsagents, tobacconists, hotel receptions, ticket machines in Metro entrance areas etc.

When entering the bus, remember to validate the ticket.

Airport express

The fast bus line operates daily from 5 AM till 10 PM in regular intervals of 30 minutes. The bus stops at Prague Airport → Dejvicka (Metro A) → Masarykovo Nadrazi railway station (Metro B) → Prague Main Railway Station (Metro C). The fare is 50 CZK or 30 CZK if travelling just between the airport and Dejvicka Metro terminal.

From Dejvicka Metro terminal, use Metro and tram as described under Public transport.

Taxi (AAA, Radiocab)

The journey from the airport to Malostranske namesti (Small Side square) or any of the recommended hotels takes less than half an hour and should cost around 500 CZK. The taxi rank of both official airport companies (AAA radiotaxi and Radiocab) is situated directly in front of the airport terminal. For the journey back, we strongly recommend ordering a taxi from your hotel reception rather than finding a cab in the street.

Resources

• How to get from Prague Airport
• Find a connection by Prague Public Transport

Transport from railway stations to the Conference venue

All principal railway stations are situated along Metro stations. There are only 3 Metro lines in Prague (A, B, C) so it is not difficult to reach Malostranska station (line A). From Malostranska, take tram 12 or 20 to Malostranske namesti (1 stop).
If you decide to take a taxi, we strongly recommend ordering one rather than finding a cab in the street. For AAA radiotaxi, just call 14014 and wait 5–10 minutes until your taxi (yellow colour) picks you up.

(Photographs courtesy of fungus2)

Scope

The scientific programme of the 10-th International Symposium on Ferroic Domains and Micro- to Nanoscopic Structures was focused on:

• Static domain structures, twinning, macroscopic properties of polydomain materials, domain engineering
• Domain walls, interfacial phenomena, domain wall engineering
• Domain wall dynamics, nucleation, switching, extrinsic material properties
• Domain structures in multiferroics
• Domain structures in thin films, size effects, ferroic nanoparticles
• Polar nanoregions in relaxor-like materials
• Mesoscopic structures in liquid crystals
• High resolution, diffraction and nanoscale examination of domain structures
• Theory, computer simulations and modelling of domain structures and domain walls
• Applications of domain phenomena: memories, anisotropic ceramics, optoelectronic devices, smart materials, etc.

The official language of the conference was English.

For a list of confirmed speakers for the PFM workshop, see the PFM section.

Schedule

Technical programme of ISFD-10 symposium was scheduled from Monday Sept. 20 morning till Friday Sept. 25, 14:00. The parallel PFM workshop started on Wednesday Sept. 22 at 11:15 and ended on Friday Sept. 25 at 14:00. Friday afternoon was reserved for optional tours.

Programme of the ISFD-10 symposium

For the PFM workshop programme, see the PFM section.

9^th PFM Workshop

ISFD-10 had a satellite workshop on Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) with tutorials, exhibition and practical classes.

This PFM workshop continued in the tradition of the Piezoresponse Force Microscopy Workshops held recently in Oak Ridge (USA), Lausanne (Switzerland), Aveiro (Portugal) and Tsukuba (Japan). The websites of the previous and forthcoming PFM meetings can be consulted at

• http://pfm4.web.ua.pt/index.htm
• http://www.nims.go.jp/omc/pfm5.html
• http://www.ustb.edu.cn/materials/files/pfm/International_Workshop.html

The 9^th PFM Workshop was held side by side to ISFD-10 in Prague, September 22 – 24, 2010.

Aim and scope of the 9^th PFM Workshop

The PFM technique starts to play a leading role in investigation of numerous nanoscale phenomena in polar, ferroelectric, multiferroic and related materials, such as domain structure and dynamics, polarization switching, fatigue and other local electromechanical response effects. The aim of this workshop was to promote dissemination of the related experience and to build a network of advanced practicioners of this rapidly evolving discipline. Programme included tutorial lectures by S. V. Kalinin (ORNL, USA), A. Gruverman (Univ. of Nebraska, USA), A. Kholkin (U. Aveiro, Portugal) and M. Alexe (Max Planck Institute, Germany), covering description of the basic principles of PFM operation and image interpretation as well as the highly appreciated reports on the the cutting-edge scientific achievements and most recent technical developments. Lectures were complemented by practical classes with demonstration of PFM equipment performance.

Schedule

Technical programme of the PFM workshop was scheduled from Wednesday Sept. 22 at 11:15 till Friday Sept. 25 at 14:00. Friday afternoon was reserved for optional tours.

Programme of the PFM-9 workshop

For the ISFD symposium programme, see the Programme section.

9^th PFM Workshop Organizers

• Jiri Hlinka (Czech Acad. Sci., Czech Republic)
• Andrei Kholkin (Uni. Aveiro, Portugal)
• Sergei V. Kalinin (ORNL, U.S.A.)

Important Deadlines

Registration

Registration of all participants is handled by the Conference Secretariat:

GUARANT International Ltd. /ISFD 2010
Opletalova 22, 110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 284 001 444
Fax: +420 284 001 448
e-mail:

To register for the Symposium, please complete the on-line Registration. It consists of a simple Personal data form and the Registration form where you can choose your fees as well as book your accommodation or social events. Payment by bank transfer or by Mastercard/Eurocard, VISA, Diners Club and American Express credit cards is possible after the Letter of Confirmation is issued (it will be sent to you by e-mail within 3 working days after submission of your registration form).

Registration Fees and Deadlines

Registration Fee Includes:

• Admission to all scientific sessions
• Admission to the poster area
• Admission to the exhibition
• Welcome cocktail on September 19, 2010
• Conference materials – final Programme and Abstract Book
• Lunches and coffee-breaks during the Conference

PFM Fee Includes:

• Admission to course (Tutorial lectures and practical classes)
• Lunches and coffee-breaks during the Course (Thursday and Friday)

Accompanying Person’s Fee Includes:

• Admission to the Exhibition
• Welcome coctail on September 19, 2010
• Coffee-breaks during the Conference

Conditions

Early registration fee will only be accepted if the Registration Form and payment are received by the Symposium Secretariat by July 15, 2010 at the latest.
Late registration fee will only be accepted if the Registration Form and payment are received by the Symposium Secretariat by September 19, 2010.
On-site registration will be available at the Symposium venue from September 19, 2010.

However, we recommend to consider registering in time as the conference venue has a limited capacity and we may not be able to accept late registrations.

Please read carefully the conditions on cancellation and refunds.

Lunches

Lunches will be served in the restaurant Profesni dum located just a few steps from the Kaiserstejsnky Palace across the Malostranske Namesti (Small Side Square).

Only full registration fee to the ISFD Symposium (delegate or student) or PFM workshop registration fee does include lunches.

Information for authors

Abstracts

The organizers would like to thank the participants for their contributions. The ISFD and PFM programme has been finalized now and abstract submission has been closed.

Instructions for speakers

Please check the length of your presentation in the programme. Within the allocated time, speakers are asked to leave about 10 percent of their time for questions and comments from the audience. Standard facilities are available :

• Conference notebook (PC) with Windows XP system,
• Data projector.

For your presentation, you can use either your own notebook or the conference one. If you intend to use the conference notebook (preferably), please make sure to upload your presentation file well in time. Please bring in your storage medium (USB flash disk, CD ROM) to the registration office at least 4 hours in advance. You can also use our upload form (the same form you have used for sending the abstract) but only until September 16.

On the conference notebook, the following presentation file formats are supported:

• PDF files,
• PowerPoint files (PPS or PPT).

Details for poster presentations

For poster presentations, cork poster boards will be provided. We recommend a maximum size of 95 cm (37 inches) in width and 120 cm (47 inches) in height. Please do not use self-adhesive tapes or Velcro which will not work. Pins will be available on site.

There will be two poster sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings. All participants presenting posters are kindly asked to mount their posters on Monday, September 20 in the morning or at least before the poster session starts. The posters should be cleaned up before lunch on Friday, September 24.

Proceedings

The authors of accepted abstracts are invited to publish their contributions in a special issue of Phase Transitions. The Guest Editors of this special issue are

• Jiri Erhart ( )
• Jiri Hlinka ( )
• Vaclav Janovec ( )
• Ivan Rychetsky ( )

In addition to the e-version on CD, two identical hard copies of doubly spaced manuscript should be submitted at the ISFD-10 registration desk in Prague on Monday, September 20. Participants arriving to Prague after Monday, September 20 may submit their manuscripts by e-mail to but only until September 16.
Later manuscripts will not be accepted.

The standard length of the doubly spaced manuscripts is up to 20 pages, including references and estimated space for tables and figures. For the instructions of publishing in PT see:

http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/gphtauth.asp

The reference style can be found at:

http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/style/quickref/tf_Q.pdf

To speed up publishing in Phase Transitions, the referees will be asked to prepare their reports during the Symposium or sent them to isfd10@fzu.cz before October 5. To ensure a rapid publication, the deadline for final submission of the revised manuscripts to is October 29.

Accommodation

GUARANT International has been appointed as the official hotel accommodation agent for the International Symposium on Ferroic Domains (ISFD 2010) and will handle all related arrangements.

A number of hotels of various categories at reduced rates will be available for participants of ISFD 2010. A list of hotels can be found here:

All rates quoted are per room per night including breakfast and 10 % VAT.

List of Hotels

All hotels are located within a reasonable distance from the Kaiserstejnsky Palace.

* Travelling time to the Conference Venue:

• Zone 1 – less than 10 min walking
• Zone 2 – less than 10 min by public transportation
• Zone 3 – more than 10 min by public transportation

Please note that price of accommodation is not included in the registration fees.

Hotel Aria

Name:	Hotel Aria
Category:	*****
Rooms:	The Aria Hotel is a luxurious five star Prague hotel inspired by the beauty of music. This central Prague boutique hotel is composed of 52 rooms and suites dedicated to a specific style of music or to a particular artist or composer. All of our rooms and suites feature flat-screen satellite TV, CD and DVD player, radio alarm clock, computer with complimentary high speed internet access and mini bar. Luxury bathrooms, telephone etc.
Services:	Guests of the hotel can visit hotel’s Music Library with wide selection of CDs, music DVDs, videos and music literature, next Screening Room, Music Salon, Fitness; guests can also visit the Vrtbovska Garden.
Location:	Hotel is ideally situated in the central part of Prague called Mala Strana. Because of this perfect central location hotel is just a short walk from some of Prague’s most impressive sights, including Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, the Royal Gardens, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Old Town Square.
Address:	Trziste 9, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is directly next to the Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated. The journey should take approx. 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.ariahotel.net/

Hotel Hoffmeister

Name:	Hotel Hoffmeister
Category:	*****
Rooms:	A luxuriously restored family residence, Hotel Hoffmeister appeals to visitors wanting a truly authentic European experience. This charming hotel reflects the history, culture and romance of Prague and offers the highest international standards of luxury and service. The hotel offers 42 individually designed Rooms and Suites with Air-conditioning and heating, deluxe pillow top mattresses, door security system, in-room safe, satellite colour TV, radio and internet access.
Services:	Hotel complex includes also ADA restaurant, RIA coffee bar, summer terrace and hotel cellar wine bar where a team of experienced professionals look after their guests. For a moment of relaxation you can go to The Lily Wellness Center & Spa that features lavish facilities, complete with Elizabeth Arden beauty center.
Location:	The hotel is set at the foot of the Old Castle, close to the city’s many historical landmarks. Thanks to the unique location of the hotel the clients have an ideal opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.
Address:	Pod Bruskou 7, Prague 1 – Mala Strana
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	2 minutes walking to the tram station Malostranska, from here take a tram and go 1 stop to the station Malostranske namesti, where is situated Kaiserstejnsky Palace. The journey should take approximately 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hoffmeister.cz/en/

Best Western Hotel Kampa

Name:	Best Western Hotel Kampa
Category:	****
Rooms:	The hotel offers light and airy rooms, furnished with historical furniture. All rooms are equipped with spacious beds with high mattresses, anti-allergy bed cloths and bed spreads, big wardrobes, TV with many satellite programs, shower, basin, mirror, toilette and hair dryer, direct Internet connection via Wi-Fi. The windows offer great views of the adjacent part and partly of the historical centre called Kampa.
Services:	Foreign exchange, business services, sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, toiletries, souvenir, cigarettes, postcards, stamps, tickets, etc., laundry services, umbrella on request, safekeeping of luggage in a lockable room at the hotel, information about cultural, historical and social events in Prague, paid parking place next to the hotel, hotel taxi.
Location:	Best Western Hotel Kampa has an excellent location near the historical centre Kampa. The hotel can be easily reached by car or public transport. Cultural and tourist points of interest are located very close to the hotel.
Address:	Vsehrdova 16, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	2 minutes walk to the Hellichova tram stop, from there take a tram and go 1 stop to the station Malostranske namesti which is situated next to the Kaiserstejnsky Palace. The journey should take approx. 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hotel-kampa.info/en/

Hotel U brany

Name:	Hotel U Brany
Category:	****
Rooms:	The hotel At the Gate **** (U brany) offers accommodation in 10 rooms and suite comfortably equipped with modern furniture. Rooms in upper floors offer a magnificent view of the Prague Castle and Petrin Hill. There is an internet point available in the lobby free of charge and a WI-FI zone.
Services:	Exchange services, transportation services, sightseeing tours and excursions, laundry, safe-deposit storage free of charge, pets allowed free of charge, parking that is possible at hotel Monastery (300m) for extra charge.
Location:	Romantic hotel is situated on the famous King’s Way (Nerudova Street) in the very heart of the historical centre of Prague.
Address:	Nerudova 21, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is directly next to the Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated. The journey should take approximately 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hotel-ubrany.cz/

Hotel U Schnellu

Name:	Hotel U Schnellu
Category:	****
Rooms:	Hotel U Schnellu is a family hotel that offers 13 comfortable double rooms and one family suite. All rooms contain stylish furniture, satellite TV, safe, telephone and bathroom.
Services:	Nonstop reception, laundry washing, WI-FI internet access in all rooms free of charge, taxi, sightseeing tours, restaurant.
Location:	Hotel is situated in the historical centre of Prague, in the corner of Malostranske namesti. Hotel is located 5 minutes walk from the Charles bridge and 15 minutes from Prague castle.
Address:	Tomasska 2, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is directly at the Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated.
Web page:	http://www.uschnellu.cz/en/

Hotel Waldstein

Name:	Hotel Waldstein
Category:	****
Rooms:	The hotel Waldstein is a historical building from 14th century that offers accommodation in 34 rooms and suite comfortably equipped with antique furniture, bathroom with shower or bath and WC, complimentary toiletries, flat TV/SAT, direct dial phone, hair dryer, in-room safe deposit, mini bar, WIFI connection.
Services:	The reception desk available 24 hours a day, money exchange services, sightseeing tours, excursions, ordering of taxi, laundry and other services. Parking is possible for extra charge in a guarded yard in front the hotel. Internet point free of charge is available in the lobby.
Location:	Hotel Waldstein is situated in the most attractive part of Prague, few steps from Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and surrounded by Prague Castle and the main Prague sights.
Address:	Valdstejnske namesti 6, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is directly next to the Malostranske namesti where the Kaiseretejnsky Palace is situated. The journey should take approx. 3 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hotelwaldstein.cz/

Hotel Atos

Name:	Hotel Atos
Category:	***
Rooms:	Hotel Atos is a new modern three stars hotel that was opened at the beginning of the year 2003. All rooms have separate bathroom, WC, telephone, mini-bar, TV-SAT and hair dryer. There is a safe and free Internet connection in each room.
Services:	For hotel guests are provided services like exchange office, refreshment, souvenirs, laundry, ticket and sightseeing tours reservations, 24 hours front office. At the hotel building it is possible to spend an evening in the restaurant Meduzzy.
Location:	The hotel Atos is located in the centre in attractive area of Mala Strana. Prague Castle, National Theatre and Wenceslas Square, can be reached by foot.
Address:	Melnicka 13, Prague 5
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	The hotel is situated near the tram station Ujezd. From here take a tram No. 20, 22 or 12 and go two stops to the station Malostranske namesti. The journey should take approx. 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hotelatos.cz/

Hotel Jeleni Dvur

Name:	EA Hotel Jeleni Dvur
Category:	***
Rooms:	Hotel Jeleni dvur is a charming hotel with pleasant family atmosphere that offers comfortable accommodation in 30 elegant rooms. Each room is nicely furnished and equipped with spacious beds, anti-allergy bed-clothes, shower or bath-tub, toilette, hair dryer, under floor heating, next also direct-dial telephone, internet connection, satellite TV, safe deposit box. Wonderful view of the historical part of Prague is available from some rooms.
Services:	Foreign exchange, business services, wake up call services, iron and ironing board on request, laundry service, information about cultural, historical and social events in Prague, hotel taxi.
Location:	The hotel is situated in the historical-romantic heart of Prague near the Prague Castle. A few steps away from the hotel there is a complex of gardens with Jelení pøíkop (Deer's ditch).
Address:	Jeleni 197, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Directly in front of the hotel there is a tram stop, from there take a tram No. 22 and go 4 stops to the station Malostranske namesti. The journey should take approximately 10 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.hotel-jeleni-dvur.info/en/

Hotel Kampa Garden

Name:	Hotel Kampa Garden
Category:	***
Rooms:	Hotel Kampa Garden is a pleasant three-star hotel, which was opened in September 2005. Hotel offers restful accommodation in spacious and newly reconstructed rooms. Each room has its own bathroom (bath, shower, WC and hair dryer) and is equipped with stylish furniture, TV with satellite reception, telephone, safe and mini bar.
Services:	Hotel provides services like nonstop reception, internet in the hotel foyer free of charge, Wi-Fi internet in the rooms, reservation of tickets for cultural events, travel tickets, hotel transport, sale of alcoholic and soft drinks, hygiene goods etc.
Location:	Hotel Kampa Garden is located directly in the heart of Prague on Kampa Island. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel you can find many interesting historical buildings and construction works like the Werich Villa, the Èertovka blind channel or Charles Bridge. Prague Castle, Old Town Square and many other monuments are also within walking distance from the hotel.
Address:	U Sovovych mlynu 9, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is within walking distance of Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated. The journey should take approx. 7 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.kampagarden.cz/en/

Hotel U Zlate Podkovy

Name:	U Zlate Podkovy
Category:	***
Rooms:	Originally gothic style building of the hotel U Zlaté podkovy has undergone complete reconstruction and nowadays offers top-class accommodation in a homely atmosphere. Spacious suites are furnished very tastefully and practically, all rooms have their own sanitary facilities - a WC and a shower bath, a satellite TV, an equipped kitchen including of microwave oven, a kettle, a stove or a double cooker.
Services:	Hotel also includes traditional Czech restaurant with a homely atmosphere, excellent (old) Czech cuisine or specialties of modern cuisine. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with paintings of the “old” Prague by painter Cechova.
Location:	Hotel U Zlate podkovy is located in the very centre of Prague, in the historical Nerudova Street, just a few steps from the most significant historical monuments in Prague, e.g. Loreta, the Prague Castle or the Saint-Nicolas Church.
Address:	Nerudova 34, Prague 1
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Location of the hotel is in the historical centre of Prague within walking distance from Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated. The journey should take approx. 5 minutes.
Web page:	http://www.uzlatepodkovy.eu/en/

Student hostel Strahov

Name:	Hostel Strahov
Category:	Student hostel
Rooms:	Hostel Strahov offers 1, 2 and more-bed rooms with a shared WC, shower and a small kitchen.
Services:	Exchange office, bars and restaurants, paid parking, sports facilities and copy center available. Hostel also offers catering services in a Self-service restaurant, a Pub and a Snack bar.
Location:	The hostel is situated in a beautiful part of Prague 6, it takes just 5 minutes walk to the Petrin look-out tower, 10 minutes to the Prague Castle and 15 minutes to downtown.
Address:	Vanickova 7, Prague 6
How to get to Kaiserstejnsky Palace:	Hostel is located near the bus station Koleje Strahov. From here you have to take a bus No.217 and go 6 stops to the bus stop Andel where you have to change for a tram No. 12 or 20 and continue 5 stops to the stop Malostranske namesti where the Kaiserstejnsky Palace is situated.
Web page:	http://www.studenthostel.cz/

A detailed description of the listed hotels can be found on the conference web.

Group reservations

For group reservations, please contact the Conference Secretariat at e-mail address , telephone number: +420 281 001 444, or fax number: +420 284 001 448.

How to make a hotel reservation

To make a hotel reservation, it is necessary to fill in the on-line Accommodation Form

Please note that the on-line Accommodation Form is only accessible with a password. Simply fill in the Personal Data Form and a password will be sent to you. Your password is the same for all on-line forms.

Reservations will be processed on a “first come, first-served” basis. Due to heavy demand and to the fact that distribution of rooms in many hotels is limited, accommodation cannot be guaranteed after August 10, 2010 although GUARANT International will make every effort to meet participants’ requirements.

Any reservation made after August 10, 2010 is subject to availability.

All rates quoted are per room per night including breakfast and 10% VAT. Should VAT change before the beginning of the Conference, the Conference Secretariat will automatically change the price of your hotel room and inform you in writing about the new rate.

Extras are to be paid directly at the hotel reception before departure.

Reservation confirmation – HOTELS

A one-night deposit is required to guarantee the reservation. After the first night deposit is received, your hotel reservation will be confirmed by e-mail. The remaining amount has to be paid directly to the hotel upon check-in/out.

A one-night deposit must be paid until August 10, 2010.

Reservation confirmation – HOSTEL STRAHOV

The full payment of hostel accommodation is required to guarantee the reservation of your accommodation at student hostel Strahov. After the full payment is received, your reservation will be confirmed in writing by e-mail.

Hostel accommodation must be paid until August 10, 2010.

Please read carefully the conditions on cancellation, changes and refunds.

Special tours and excursions

Special tours and excursions have been arranged exclusively for the Delegates and Accompanying persons at the 10th International Symposium on Ferroic Domains and Micro- to Nanoscopic Structures.

A minimum number of participants is 15. Conference Secretariat reserves the right to cancel the tour for which a minimum number of participants have not registered. In this case another tour will be offered or a refund will be paid after the Conference.

Booking in advance is recommended, on-site availability cannot be guaranteed.

For booking of tours please use the appropriate online form.

This half-day sightseeing tour to Prague Castle - the seat of the Czech President, includes admission to the Old Royal Palace with the Vladislav Hall, the seat of former Bohemian kings and to St Vitus Cathedral which originated from the 14th century. You will see St George’s Basilica, the Royal Garden and Golden Lane whose famous inhabitants included the writer Franz Kafka. You will have the opportunity to admire a variety of architectural styles showing the progress of European architecture throughout the centuries.

This half-day walking tour will take you to the historical heart of the city – Old Town, which was settled more than 1000 years ago. The tour begins on the Old Town Square with beautiful houses, palaces and churches of various architectural styles and Prague’s famous astronomical clock. The tour continues to the Jewish Quarter. The story of Prague’s Jewish community can be traced back to the middle of the 10th century. This tour will visit the evocative Old Jewish Cemetery, which dates from the 15th century, Europe’s oldest Synagogue – the Gothic style Old-New Synagogue, the High Synagogue, the Town Hall, the Pinkas Synagogue and the Ceremonial Hall with its collection of children’s art from the Terezin concentration camp.

This tour offers you the opportunity to observe Prague from the deck of a boat. The river cruise calms the psyche, evoking a romantic atmosphere and reviving one’s fantasies. During the cruise you will have the opportunity to admire Prague’s cultural, historical and architectural jewels such as Vysehrad Castle - the former seat of medieval Czech Kings, the National Theatre - the most important and lasting symbol of Czech culture and national spirit, Palace Zofin, Lichtenstejnsky Palace with its colonnade in Art-Nouveau style – unique in Europe, the Charles Bridge and, as well, the unmistakable, unforgettable panorama of Prague Castle for which Prague has become so well-known.
Having taken in all the history, you can further enjoy the tour by relaxing over coffee and cake, and some music on the river under the ancient stone abutments of Charles Bridge.

Prague’s architecture bears not only traces of the Gothic period, but also the heavy influence of the Baroque period, which contributed much to the present-day appearance of Prague. Baroque monuments can be found almost every step of the way in the city. This tour includes the former Strahov Monastery, which was founded in 1140 but reconstructed in the Baroque style in the 17th century. You will visit its remarkable interiors, including its Theological and Philosophical Halls. The tour also includes the Loreto Church, an entire complex that grew around the Santa Clara shrine and is one of the purest examples of Prague Baroque. Lastly, the tour will visit the Church of St. Nicholas, a landmark of the Lesser Quarter, which was designed by two of the most famous architects of Prague Baroque – Kristof Dientzenhofer and his son Kilian Ignac.

Please read carefully the conditions on cancellation, changes and refunds.

Organizers

• Institute of Physics, ASCR, Prague
• Guarant Agency, Prague

Organization

Conference Chair:	Jirka Hlinka
Programme Chair:	Vaclav Janovec
Scientific Secretary:	Alexey Bubnov
Editorial Secretary:	Ivan Gregora
IT-manager:	Jan Pokorny

Organizing Committee

• J. Erhart (Liberec)
• J. Fabry (Prague)
• J. Fousek (Prague)
• M. Glogarova (Prague)
• S. Kamba (Prague)
• P. Mokry (Liberec)
• V. Novotna (Prague)
• P. Ondrejkovic (Prague)
• J. Petzelt (Prague)
• I. Rychetsky (Prague)

International advisory committee

• W. Cao (USA)
• A. G. Castellanos-Guzman (Mexico)
• H. Chen (Hong-Kong, China)
• L. E. Cross (USA)
• L. Eng (Germany)
• J. Fousek (Czech Rep.)
• Y. Cho (Japan)
• H. Ito (Japan)
• V. Janovec (Czech Rep.)
• K. Kitamura (Japan)
• W. Kleemann (Germany)
• A. Krumins (Latvia)
• R. Le Bihan (France)
• N.B. Ming (China)
• M. Polomska (Poland)
• G. Rosenman (Israel)
• P. Saint-Gregoire (France)
• E. Salje (UK)
• Y. Uesu (Japan)
• H. Schmid (Switzerland)
• J. F. Scott (UK)
• V. Shur (Russia)
• I. Stasyuk (Ukraine)
• G. Van Tendeloo (Belgium)
• V. K. Wadhawan (India)
• Z.-G. Ye (Canada)
• W. G. Zhu (Singapore)

Sponsors

• NT-MDT
• Asylum Research
• Renishaw
• ThermoNicolet
• Office of Naval Research Global

Sponsoring opportunities

Traditionally over a hundred top experts from around the world including Japan, USA, Canada, Russia, China and Australia as well as representatives of companies producing and utilizing new materials based on domain structures are participating in the ISFD Symposium and as well as in the PFM workshop. Important role in successful organization of the Symposium is the participation of sponsors and exhibitors. For more information, please contact us through . We would appreciate very much if your company or organization could take part in the Symposium.

Jiri Hlinka
Conference Chair

Contacts

Conference Secretariat

Veronika Brejchova
Kristina Pichanicova
GUARANT International Ltd, Czech Republic
Opletalova 22, 110 00  Praha 1, Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 284001404
Fax: +420 284001448
e-mail:

Scientific Contact

Alexey Bubnov
Institute of Physics AS CR
Na Slovance 2, 182 21  Praha 8, Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 266052134
Fax: +420 286890527
e-mail:

Web site: http://palata.fzu.cz/isfd10/