On behalf of the Commission B of International Union of Radio Science (URSI) and Technical Program Committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2004 URSI International Symposium on Electromagnetic Theory (EMT-S), which will be held in Pisa, Italy, May 23-27, 2004. It is hosted by the Italian Member Committee of URSI and is organized by a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) at the University of Pisa, in collaboration with the Italian Electromagnetic Society (SIEm).

This triennial event is one of the major activities of URSI Commission B and is the 18^th in the long history since the 1^st in Toronto 1953. The most recent past Symposia in this series were held in Victoria, Canada (2001) and Thessaloniki, Greece (1998). The preparation of the 2004 EMT-S in Pisa was initiated upon the decision in the business meeting at the 2002 URSI General Assembly. Thanks to the intensive collaboration from the Italian National Committee of URSI and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chaired by Prof. G. Manara, we have been completing preparations for a very attractive and rich symposium in a much shorter period than usual.

The scope of the Symposium covers all areas of electromagnetic theory and its applications. A total of 26 topics convened by 50 authorities worldwide as well as 37 regular ones were prepared in the call for papers. As a result, we have received 464 submissions and the Technical Program Committee, consisting of 40 members from 16 countries, have reviewed them and selected 421 papers. We have put together a rich set of sessions, that is, 62 oral sessions with 6 papers, 4 plenary sessions and 1 poster session. These include progress in traditional topics such as electromagnetic theory, guided waves, scattering and diffraction and the latest topics such as metamaterials, ultra wide band signals and practical aspects of ground penetrating radars, etc.

One of the key features of the Symposium is a series of plenary sessions held every morning entitled: “Perspectives into the History and Development of Electromagnetics - Past, Present, and Future”, which has always been a special characteristic of EMT-S.

With an interesting scientific program arranged by TPC, with an excellent conference organization and with support from the Italian National Committee and LOC, I invite all radio scientists together in Pisa, the historic city of Italy.

Makoto Ando, Chair, Technical Program Committee

It is a privilege and pleasure, on behalf of the whole Local Organizing Committee,  to express to each of you my warmest welcome to the 2004 URSI Electromagnetic Theory Symposium in Pisa, Italy. The Conference is organized by the University of Pisa, one of the oldest universities in Italy, in collaboration with the URSI Commission B and the Italian Electromagnetic Society (SIEm). The Symposium will be held at the University Conference Centre, in downtown Pisa. The city is located near the Tyrrhenian Sea (11 Km) in north-western Tuscany, along the banks of the Arno river, and approximately 80 Km west of Florence. Known worldwide for the extraordinary monument of the Leaning Tower, Pisa is a place of artistic treasures, a heritage of its millenary history whose point of highest splendor dates back to the age of Maritime Republics (12^th century). The visitor to this eminent University city will discover not only art, culture and history, but also an evocative environment (natural parks, sea coast, and mountains), folklore, excellent restaurants, and fancy shops.

I wish to express my gratitude to Prof. Makoto Ando, Chairman of URSI Commission B, to Prof. Lotfollah Shafai, Vice-Chairman of the same Commission, to all the members of the Technical Program Committee and of the Local Organizing Committee for their active support. Their work, together with that of session convenors, authors, and reviewers has contributed to make up this edition of the Electromagnetic Theory Symposium, that I hope will be not less successful than the previous ones.

I am looking forward to seeing you and greeting here in May. Have a pleasant trip!

Giuliano Manara, Chair, Local Organizing Committee