The 15th Vacuum Symposium will be held on 16/17 June 2026 at Harwell Campus, UK. Hosted by Rutherford Appleton Laboratory & Diamond Light Source.
For details of the event see below:
Technical Meeting
“Vacuum Enabling Quantum”
This technical meeting will showcase the critical role that vacuum products and systems play in enabling the rapid advancement of quantum technologies, while also examining how breakthroughs in quantum innovation are driving new possibilities within the vacuum sector.
Spanning atomic-scale environments in quantum sensing through to the increasingly sophisticated vacuum and cryogenic infrastructures demanded by commercial quantum computing, the quantum industry is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In doing so, it is creating fresh challenges—and exciting opportunities—for innovation in vacuum science and technology.
Poster presentations will be open from 12:00pm on Tuesday 16th June until 2:30pm on Wednesday 17th June. Posters will be judged on the basis of scientific content, effectiveness of communication and overall appearance. The £100 Vacuum Symposium Poster Prize will be presented to the winner at 1:15pm on Wednesday.
Ready to apply for a Poster Presentation slot? You can do it here. Submission deadline is 12th June 2026.
A one-day exhibition, organised by Nu-tech Associates, will be held in the RAL Visitor Centre.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the exhibitors and consume your buffet lunch.
The 2026 Harry Leck Memorial Medal will be awarded during the Reception on Tuesday 16th June.
Site Tours
Site Tours will be held on Tuesday 16th June starting at 16:30 from the RAL Visitor Centre and last approximately one hour. Numbers on each Tour are limited and only one Tour per person can be reserved. Please meet outside the RAL Visitors Centre (Building R112) at 4.15pm.
Tours include Diamond,ISIS, Lasers & Space.
Diamond Light Source The UK’s national synchrotron facility, generating high-brightness X-rays by accelerating electrons to relativistic speeds within a storage ring. These X-rays are delivered to multiple beamlines for advanced structural, chemical, and imaging studies with atomic to nanoscale resolution.
ISIS Neutron and Muon Source A pulsed spallation source producing intense beams of neutrons and muons for probing the structure and dynamics of materials. Techniques include neutron scattering and muon spin spectroscopy, enabling investigation of condensed matter, engineering systems, and biological materials at the atomic scale.
Central Laser Facility A national facility providing access to high-intensity and ultra-fast laser systems. These platforms support experiments in high-energy-density physics, plasma physics, and ultrafast spectroscopy, enabling studies of matter under extreme conditions and on femtosecond timescales.
RAL Space A leading centre for the design, integration, and testing of space instrumentation. Capabilities include payload development, environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration), and calibration for missions in Earth observation, planetary science, and astrophysics.
Facility tours all require a moderate amount of walking. If you have limited mobility please contact us prior to the event so that we can accommodate any special requirements.
Reception
Join us for a light buffet and drinks from 17:30 on Tuesday 16th June.
In addition to the presentation of the Harry Leck Memorial Medal, there will be informal presentations designed to inspire and highlight the opportunities that vacuum science and technology encompass.
