Physics of Thin Films: Advances in Research and Development primarily deals with the influence of ions or optical energy on the deposition, properties, and etching on thin films. The book is a collection of five articles, with one article per chapter. Chapter 1 covers ionized cluster beam deposition; epitaxy; and film-formation mechanism. Chapter 2 discusses the activated reactive evaporation process; the deposition of refractory compounds; the role of plasma in the process; and its applications. Chapter 3 focuses on ion-beam processing of optical thin films; ion sources and ion-surface interactions; and the different kinds of bombardment involved. Chapter 4 deals with laser induced etching - its mechanisms, methods, and applications. Chapter 5 talks about contacts to GaAs devices; Fermi-level pinning; and heterojunction contacts. The book is recommended for physicists and engineers in the field of electronics who would like to know more about thin films and the progresses in the field.

The International Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks is the leading international gathering of scientists and engineers from academia and industry in the field of ground vehicle dynamics to present and exchange their latest innovations and breakthroughs. Established in Vienna in 1977, the International Association of Vehicle System Dynamics (IAVSD) has since held its biennial symposia throughout Europe and in the USA, Canada, Japan, South Africa and China. The main objectives of IAVSD are to promote the development of the science of vehicle dynamics and to encourage engineering applications of this field of science, to inform scientists and engineers on the current state-of-the-art in the field of vehicle dynamics and to broaden contacts among persons and organisations of the various countries engaged in scientific research and development in the field of vehicle dynamics and related areas. IAVSD 2017, the 25th Symposium of the International Association of Vehicle System Dynamics was hosted by the Centre for Railway Engineering at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia in August 2017. The symposium focused on the following topics related to road and rail vehicles and trains: dynamics and stability; vibration and comfort; suspension; steering; traction and braking; active safety systems; advanced driver assistance systems; autonomous road and rail vehicles; adhesion and friction; wheel-rail contact; tyre-road interaction; aerodynamics and crosswind; pantograph-catenary dynamics; modelling and simulation; driver-vehicle interaction; field and laboratory testing; vehicle control and mechatronics; performance and optimization; instrumentation and condition monitoring; and environmental considerations. Providing a comprehensive review of the latest innovative developments and practical applications in road and rail vehicle dynamics, the 213 papers now published in these proceedings will contribute greatly to a better understanding of related problems and will serve as a reference for researchers and engineers active in this specialised field. Volume 2 contains 135 papers under the subject heading Rail.