Nanostructure Science and Technology - World Technology ...

170 Appendix B. Site Reports—Europe
Site:
IBM Zürich Research Laboratory
Säumerstrasse 4
CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
Tel: (41) 1-724 8111; Fax: (41) 1- 724 8964
http://www.zurich.ibm.com
Date Visited: 13 October 1997
WTEC:
Hosts:
H. Goronkin (report author), M.C. Roco
Dr. Hans Biebuyck, principal contact
Fax: (41) 1-724 0809
Dr. Heinrich Rohrer, Science and Technology Department
Wanda Andreoni
R. Allenspach
James Gimzewski
Peter Vettiger
BACKGROUND
The IBM laboratory in Rüschlikon employs approximately 200 people.
The WTEC team visited the Science and Technology Department, formerly
called the Physics Department. This department has about 50 people, of
whom approximately 40 are scientists (including pre- and post-docs). In
recent years, the lab’s scope has evolved beyond mostly basic research to a
problem-oriented mission in support of existing and alternative exploratory
technologies that are on IBM’s radar screen.
Heinrich Rohrer provided an introduction to the Science and Technology
Department, pointing out the need for new ideas to move beyond the limits
of present day technologies and devices.
The laboratories the WTEC team visited are well equipped and of a size
normally found in universities. Many of the experimental apparatuses are
set up by highly skilled technicians who also take an active part in the
operation of the equipment for experimental purposes. Although the mission
of the group is technology-driven, it is clear that science remains a key
component and that the staff strives for understanding of the experimental
results at the most basic level.
Collaborations with universities are numerous. The center leverages
productivity considerably while fulfilling an educational purpose and
creating a network of relationships of great value to all concerned. Some of