The Division of Applied Physics of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization performs research in the physical sciences to benefit Australian industry and also staffs the National Measurement Laboratory, underpinning the Australian measurement system. CSIRO is the major government-funded research organization in Australia, employing approximately 7,000 people, based in 30 divisions, and whose interests range from the agricultural and livestock areas through prospecting, mining, and manufacturing to information and communication technologies. The general mix of work in the divisions includes a proportion of basic science and a significant involvement in contract research with relevant Australian industries.

The Division of Applied Physics is one of the oldest divisions and celebrates its 50th Jubilee in 1988. This year is also the 200th anniversary of European settlement in Australia and the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Australian Institute of Physics. It was a busy year for the laboratory!

Materials science research in the Division developed from the needs of the standards research program, passed through a period of primarily basic research, and now concentrates on industrial research and the underlying basic research. Four areas which exemplify this progression toward applied research and development are described in this article.

Thin film research started in the Division in the 1950s to produce optical coatings, driven by the requirements of a developing standards research program, and the needs of an astronomy program to study the surface of the sun spectroscopically.