Tom Christensen is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He received his B.S. in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1979 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Physics from Cornell University. After several years at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque he joined the University of Colorado faculty in 1989 where he has served as De¬partment Chair, Dean and Provost. He has worked with vacuum technology, thin film technology and surface characterization since 1980 and has taught local AVS or SVC short courses since 1992.