Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A publishes reports of original research, letters, and review articles that focus on fundamental scientific understanding of interfaces, surfaces, plasmas and thin films and on using this understanding to advance the state-of-the-art in various technological applications.

Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B emphasizes processing, measurement and phenomena associated with micrometer and nanometer structures and devices. Processing may include vacuum processing, plasma processing and microlithography among others, while measurement refers to a wide range of materials and device characterization methods for understanding the physics and chemistry of submicron and nanometer structures and devices.

Vacuum is an international rapid publications journal with a focus on short communication. All papers are peer-reviewed, with the review process for short communication geared towards very fast turnaround times. The journal also published full research papers, thematic issues and selected papers from leading conferences. A report in Vacuum should represent a major advance in an area that involves a controlled environment at pressures of one atmosphere or below.