Workshops

The Round Table should takes direct action in promoting further cooperation and coordination, by organizing topical workshops in the specific areas that can lead to collaborations.

For example, the total number of beamlines currently under design, construction, or upgrading in Europe can be estimated as high as 150. Such beamlines will contain VUV and X-Ray optics devices as important elements of the structure. The new quality of synchrotron light available from modern sources demands advanced optics, based on new ideas and technology. Taking into account these factors, the desirability of common European beamlines for test of optical elements is quite evident. Specialised workshops are envisioned to explore these issues.

There is no standard format for the workshops; however, for each of them the main objectives will be the same:

1. To present and define general-interests instrumentation problems and other relevant problems in synchrotron light and FEL activities.
   
2. To explore the possible ground for broader concerted action.
   
3. Depending on the previous results, to discuss specific practical steps toward concerted action.
   

Each workshop is organized at one of the participant facilities, by the same facility, in cooperation with a liaison person from ELETTRA and possibly with members of other laboratories.

Contract HPRI-CT-1999-40001

Workshops

• "Biocrystallography with Synchrotron Radiation - Future Perspectives (BIOXSR)", Poznan (Poland) [organized by EMBL-Hamburg], October 1-4, 2000.
  This was a specialized workshop to stimulate new cooperation in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of synchrotron radiation research. Furthermore, its location promoted cooperation between Western Europe facilities and potential Eastern European users.
  
• "Challenges in Crystallography of Macromolecular Assemblies", Trieste (Elettra), 5-6 December 2000.
  This focused workshop promoted discussions and the identification of new cooperation opportunities for a very promising domain in the general area of synchrotron-based crystallography
  
• "Bio-XAS", Orsay (LURE), July 2000.
  Within the general trend of increased use of synchrotrons for life-science research, other techniques besides diffraction play an important role, This meeting was dedicated to one of the most important of such techniques , with the objective of disseminating the corresponding opportunities and promote exchanges.
  
• "ReSoXS", Villigen (SLS), 29-30 March 2001.
  Resonant soft X-ray scattering is a new and powerful method for the investigation of magnetic phenomena in condensed matter. Future applications will include studies of correlated electron systems and metal-insulator transitions. This technique is complementary to X-ray dichroism, resonant hard X-ray scattering, and neutron scattering. This workshop brought together experts already using ReSoXS, future users and instrument builders.
  
• "Workshop BLIS (Biological Applications in Low and Intermediate Energy Synchrotron Radiation)" Aarhus (ISA), 3-6 October 2001.
  This workshop covered a rather broad range of techniques including different types of spectroscopy and microscopy approaches. It brought together instrumentation developers and users from materials science and the life sciences.
  
• "Prospects for FEL's in the VUV and Soft-X-Ray Regions as Sources for Scientific Research", Trieste (Elettra), 5 December 2001.
  This specialized workshop responded to focused needs arising from the recent rapid progress of VUV FEL's based on storage rings. The meeting promoted exchanges and dissemination of the corresponding scientific opportunities, also in comparison with other emerging FEL approaches
  
• Meeting on "Future Applications of Science with Synchrotron Radiation and Free Electron Lasers in Europe", ESRF Grenoble, March 16-17 2001.
  See the comments above under "general meetings" and "progress", and the attached publication.
  
• International Workshop on "Infrared Microspectrometry using Synchrotron Radiation and Free Electron Lasers (WIRM 2001)". Porquerolles Island (France), LURE(France) & ENEA (Italy), September 11th -14th , 2001.
  The scope of this workshop was to bring together SR & FEL Physicists and synchrotron-IR & FEL-IR users discuss the trends in this field, in order to promote more promising applications.
  
• Workshop "Synchrotron radiation and Material Science", Strasbourg, 18-22 June 2002.
  This workshop covered a rather broad range of techniques including different types of spectroscopy and microscopy approaches. It brought together instrumentation developers and users from materials science and the life sciences.
  
• Workshop "Automated Macromolecular Structure Solution", EMBL, 9-17 may 2002.
  Protein crystallography has become in recent years a major area of SR activities and the area of fastest expansion. Automation is a critical issue for this field since the rapidity of data production requires new and more effective approaches. The similarity of problems in different facilities requires a coordinated approach. This is the objective of this particular workshop, organized by a major player in crystallography within the RT.
  
• Workshop "Exploiting the Coherence of X-Rays", BESSY, 23-24 September 2002.
  Lateral and longitudinal soherence is perhaps the most exciting novelty in the domain of x-rays, a novelty strictly related to the progress of SR. Yet, the new research opportunities of this feature are still ignored by many potential users. This workshop had the double objective of disseminating information in this field and promoting the exchange of ideas about technical solution to implement coherence-related techniques -- seeking possible new transnational collaborations.
  
• Workshop "Ultrafast Phenomena by Synchrotron Radiation", ELETTRA, 28-29 October 2002.
  Ultrafast techniques are becoming increasingly important not only in the specific area of SR but also in view of the new SASE-based sources. This workshop had the objective to share information both about standard and new time-resolved experimental techniques and about the solutions of specific instrumentation problems that could be transnationally shared.
  
• Workshop "Properties of Magnetic Nanostructures", ELETTRA, 30 October 2002.
  This event was a complement at the senior level of the Lund summer school on magnetism. The focus, however, was not generically on magnetism-related SR research but on the exciting novel opportunities offered by the recently developed spectromicroscopy techniques and by other experimental developments. This is also one area of high potential impact for industry, most notably as far as data storing is concerned
  
• Workshop "Time Resolved, Coherent and Other Advanced IR-Experiment Using Synchrotron Radiation", BESSY, 18-19 November 2002.
  Infrared research based on SR is a relatively new arrival in the domain of SR which was in the past primarily concentrated on x-rays and ultraviolet. The recent progress in this direction demonstrated the superior quality of SR sources at low wavelengths. This opened up a number of new avenues but also created many new technical problems. The workshop at Elettra was dedicated to a broad exchange of information on these topics, with the objective of boosting the European presence with respect to advanced activities in the USA and other countries.
  
• Workshop "SAMBA: Symposium on Applications of Particle Detectors in Medicine, Biology and Astrophysics II", ELETTRA, 27-29 May, 2002.
  Detectors constituted for a long time a rather weak spot in SR and FEL research. Their characteristics have trailed the fast advances in the source performances without, however, matching them. As a consequence, the RT expressed interested in sponsoring new initiatives to stimulate joint projects in detector technology. This workshop is a result of this commitment, oriented towards novel directions of SR research.
  
• Workshop "Research Course Plasma Physics with X-Ray", DESY_HASYLAB, March 5-7, 2003.
  Plasma states from the electron sea in metals, via the warm dense matter up to the states of hot temperature and high pressure are in the focus of many scientific domains: Material sciences, condensed-matter and astrophysics are few examples only. Plasma sources are further investigated to build X-ray lasers. Due to limitations in flux and time structure only few attempts have been made yet to use X-ray sources to investigate plasma states. Even more demanding is the use of X-ray sources to produce plasmas. X-ray FELs can offer the requirements to these experiments.
  The lectures presented different areas of plasma physics where highly brilliant X-ray souces could provide new experimental access, both in analysing and generating plasmas. Of particular consideration is the time period immediately following the generation of the plasma state. Several experimental techniques were discussed including their requirements and possible realisation. Furthermore, an overview of various sources for these kind of investigations were provided.
  Topics of the course :
  • Interaction of intense short-wavelength radiation with matter
  • Generation of plasma states by X-rays
  • Plasma properties and X-ray properties of plasmas
  • Ultrafast dynamics of the plasma state
  • Warm dense matter and astrophysics
  • X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray scattering experiments
  • Laser- and accelerator-based sources for X-ray plasma physics
  
  
• Workshop "New X-ray science and texture and strain analysis", DESY_HASYLAB, April 9-11, 2003.
  The aim was to bring together synchrotron hard X-ray instrumentalists and potential users. These include the texture and strain communities as well as people with general interest in materials science and charaterisation. Hard X-rays are defined as "synchrotron radiation with energy of E greater or equal 50 keV". The workshop put equal weight on charaterisation at the macroscopic, grain and subgrain scales. The possibilities for generation of three dimensonal maps and for dynamics studies were emphasised. In addition, the workshop focused on presenting a balanced view between the potential of hard X-ray diffraction and the status for use of other sources providing an update on methods and applications.
  
• Workshop "Ultrafast Science with X-rays and Electrons", Montreux, April 9-12, 2003.
  Over the past few years, experimental techniques based on the use of ultrashort pulses of electrons or EUV and X-ray light have been developed, with the aim to probe in "real time" the electronic and structural dynamics of molecules, biological systems, liquids, solids, surfaces and interfaces. As in any nascent field, the implementation of methods strongly relies on the newest technological developments, regarding both sources, and detection systems. New concepts and new theoretical tools have to be developed to fully exploit the potential of time resolved structural techniques.
  This workshop was the second of the series. The first was held in Napa Valley, in April 2002. The aim was to bring together prominent scientists from different areas of research, which work on the development or the applications of time-resolved techniques using ultra short pulses of X-ray, XUV, EUV radiation and of electrons.
  
• Workshop "Practical Course on BioXas on metalloproteins and organism tissue (BioXas)", EMBL, June 17-22, 2003.
  The practical course covered theoretical principles of X-ray absorptions spectroscopy and their applications, hands-on tutorials ranging from sample preparation to data collection and data analysis, including principle component analysis, EXAFS refinement and XANES simulation. Applications presented comprised XAS tomography, new method-binding motifs in proteins, generation and analysis of reaction intermediates, and XAS as a tool to probe elements in organism tissue.
  
• Workshop "Introduction to XAFS Theory and Data Treatment", MAX-lab., June 28-29, 2003.
  The aim of the workshop was to give students and young researchers an introduction to XAFS theory as well as training to use available theoretical programs for data analysis. The training in Lund was much focussed on hands-on, guided exewrcises.
  
• Workshop "Structural Studies Using Softer X-rays at Daresbury Laboratory", Daresbury, September 11-12, 2003.
  Aims of the workshop were to bring together various chemical and biological structural studies themes that have or will benefit further from sharing experience and expertise in the uses of softer Xrays in crystallography, diffraction and spectroscopy. The programme is detailed below. Articles from the speakers at the Workshop have been commissioned by the Journal of Synchrotron Radiation; These are nearing submission. The Workshop attracted a total number of approx 50 participants including from UK, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Israel.
  
• Workshop "BASIE: Biological Applications of Synchrotron Infrared in Europe", Karlsruhe, September 11-12, 2003.
  With the sequencing of the human genome completed, the life sciences are entering a new era. Relationships between sequence, structure and function of gene products, their mechanisms of action at the cellular and tissue levels, and their role in health and disease are the new issues.
  FTIR spectroscopy is emerging as one the key tools in this area, particularly for its ability to provide structural-functional information on biological processes at multiple levels of organization - from individual atomic bonds to global protein folding and conformational changes, from single living cells in culture to tissue studies and diagnostics.
  Synchrotron-based FTIR spectroscopy, with its extended spectral range and high spatial resolution, brings such studies to the cutting edge. The new era of life science research coincides with an unprecedented period of development in European synchrotron infrared capabilities, with a total of 8 new facilities recently opened, under construction or planned in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the U.K.
  The aim of the 1st BASIE Workshop was to bring infrared beamline scientists from European synchrotron facilities together with European life sciences expertise, in order to promote the application of synchrotron-based FTIR spectroscopy to current issues in biological and biomedical science.
  
• Workshop "DYPROSO XXIX", Trieste (ELETTRA) September 22-25, 2003.
  The Symposium DYPROSO (Dynamical Properties of Solids) has a long tradition starting from the early 60's when experimental and theoretical problems connected to Raman and infrared spectroscopy were discussed. Later on, other experimental techniques and theoretical analysis made their contribution and the community of participants increased rapidly and became truly international.
  DYPROSO XXIX dealt with the following "hot" topics:
  • High Tc superconductors
  • Nanostructures
  • Soft Condensed Matter
  • New Experimental Facilities
  • Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors
  
  

Schools

• "HERCULES", Grenoble (ESRF) 4 March - 11 April 2001.
  This is the most established and largest postdoctoral school in the domains of synchrotron radiation and neutron research. In recent years, it was co-sponsored by the present Round tale in collaboration wit the Neutron Round Table.
  
• "6th School of Synchrotron Light", Pula (Italy) [organized by Elettra], 17-28 September 2001.
  This is a postdoctoral synchrotron radiation school primarily attended by students from southern European countries. The Round Table also co-sponsors the Nordita school, which is geographically complementary to the Pula School.
  
• School "HERCULES", Grenoble (ESRF) 17 February - 28 March 2002.
  This is the most established and largest postdoctoral school in the domains of synchrotron radiation and neutron research. In recent years, it was co-sponsored by the present Round tale in collaboration wit the Neutron Round Table.
  
• School "Nordic Summer School in Synchrotron Radiation" , Lund, 3-11 June 2002.
  This school is one of the traditional events in the domain of synchrotron radiation and has had a major role in the recruitment of new users from the younger generations of scientists. Although centred around Scandinavia and Northern Europe in general, it is open to speakers and students from other areas.
  
• School "Swedish Summer School on Magnetism" , Lund, 5-9 July 2002.
  Magnetism is becoming one of the major areas of application of SR because of the enhanced capabilities of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques based on polarized source and spin-sensitive detection and because of other technological and scientific developments. This school bridges the gap between other events sponsored by the RT at the workshop level and the younger generations of users who are in most cases unaware of the recent exciting developments in this direction.
  
• School "Summer School in SR Science", CLRC, 7 September 2002.
  Daresbury has been for the past several decades not only a world leader in SR research but also a major producer of new generations of users This school was an initiative to continue and boost this role in a period of transition both for the laboratory and for the UK role within the European network in this domain. The school was open to external participants and not restricted to the UK.
  
• School "HERCULES 2003" , Grenoble, March 2003.
  See above, point 1.
  
• School "7th School of Synchrotron Light", Pula (Italy), 16-26 September 2003.
  As for the six former editions (1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999 e 2001) the School aimed to offer people who already work in the field of synchrotron radiation, or interested to approach it, an up-to-date overview of its features and potentialities. The research possibilities with synchrotron radiation have been treated both from a theoretical and experimental point of view and seen in their connection to various disciplines (chemistry, physics, biology, earcth science) and to different kind of materials.
  

Contract ERB-FM-GE-CT970090

Workshops

• Workshop on "Photon Beam Characterization" , Hamburg (DESY-HASYLAB), 2-3 April 1998
  
• Workshop on "Modern Developments in the Field of VUV and soft X-Ray Optics-I" Berlin (BESSY), 15-16 June 1998
  
• Workshop on "Applications of SASE-FEL and Coherence", Lund (MAX-LAB), 17-18 October 1998
  
• Workshop on "Modern Developments in the Field of VUV and soft X-Ray Optics-II" Berlin (BESSY), 1-2 July 1998
  
• Workshop on "Training in Methods for Protein Crystallography" Hamburg (EMBL), 3-10 November 1999
  
• Workshop on "Synchrotron Radiation in Archaeometry", Daresbury, 19-20 November 1999
  
• Workshop on "Research Opportunities at synchrotron Radiation and Free electron Laser Sources", Krakow - Poland, (DESY-HASYLAB), 9-10 November 1999
  
• Workshop on "Reactions and Surfaces", Trieste, (ELETTRA), November 30 - December 1, 1999
  
• Workshop on "Synchrotrons, Accelerators and Laboratory Physics", Aarhus, (ISA), August 3 - September 1, 2000
  
• Workshop on "Synchrotron Radiation from Superconductive Insertion Devices and Magnets", Karlsruhe, (ANKA), 9-11 July 2000
  
• Workshop on "Atomic and Clusters Physics with Short Wavelength Radiation from Free Electron Lasers", (HASYLAB), 4-5 September 2000
  

Schools

• School "Hercules", Grenoble, (ESRF), 16-21 March 1999
  
• School on Synchrotron Radiation, Santa Margherita di Pula, (ELETTRA), September 27 - October 8, 1999
  
• School "Hercules", Grenoble, (ESRF), February 27 - April 9, 2000
  
• School "Nordic School for Synchrotron Radiation", Lund, (MAX-LAB), 13-20 June 2000