Abdus Salam Greater Caribbean Light Source (GCLS) Shcool (03-06 August 2026)
Starts: 3 Aug 2026, 08:15
Ends: 6 Aug 2026, 17:00
Timezone: America/Bogota
Location: Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá, Colombia (Sede Macarena B). Pedestrian access: Carrera 4 No. 26D-54 – Car access: Carrera 3 No. 26A – 51, Bogotá D.C.
Venue: Auditorio del Edificio de Laboratorios & Computer Laboratories.
Description
The “Educational Gap” in physics and the persistent “Brain Drain” across the Caribbean are significant barriers to regional development. This workshop is strategically designed to address these challenges by providing the high-level technical foundations required for the Greater Caribbean Light Source (GCLS) initiative.
Adopting the “ABC Capacities” framework—focusing on Accelerators, Beamlines, and Computing—this 4-day intensive school bridges the transition from theoretical physics to technical competence in synchrotron radiation. Participants will explore topics ranging from basic accelerator physics to advanced spectroscopic techniques, preparing a specialized regional workforce capable of utilizing future large-scale research infrastructures to address local priorities in health, agriculture, and materials science.
Program Topics
- Part 1: Principles & Accelerators: Introduction to the GCLS project, synchrotron sources for microscopy, and the physics of charge movement in electric and magnetic fields.
- Part 2: Spectroscopy & Microscopy: Advanced X-ray microscopy, XRF, XANES, HERFD-XANES, and in situ/operando techniques.
- Part 3: Data Analysis & Computing: Big data management (SYNAPSE project), and hands-on tutorials on PCA and MCR-ALS analysis.
- Special Sessions: A regional Mini-Symposium featuring diverse research presentations and a dedicated Careers and Opportunities session covering ICTP scholarships (Diploma and STEP programs).
At a Glance
- Expected Audience: 40 participants.
- Eligibility: Final-year undergraduate and Master’s level students from Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering. The selection process actively prioritizes students from underrepresented communities and underprivileged sectors, ensuring a strong commitment to gender balance.
- Format: Intensive lectures followed by hands-on simulations and data analysis workflows in computer laboratories.
- Certificates: Official ICTP Physics Without Frontiers certificates will be awarded only to participants who meet the full-attendance requirement.
- Registration: Available via Microsoft Forms: https://forms.office.com/r/JzNhREMruA.
Lecturers and Speakers
- Prof. Galileo Violini (CIF/ACCEFYN, Colombia/Italy) – Spirit of Abdus Salam Awardee.
- Prof. Giorgio Margaritondo (EPFL, Switzerland).
- Prof. Bernardo Gómez (Universidad de los Andes, Colombia).
- Dr. Antonio Augusto Malfatti Gasperini (LNLS/CNPEM, Brazil) – Expert in Sirius beamline instrumentation and drug delivery systems.
- Natasha Stojic / Atish Dabholkar (ICTP, Italy) – Online session.
AGENDA
| Day 1: Aug 3 | Introduction & Principles | |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Introduction to Physics Without Frontiers (PWF) | ICTP/PWF Personnel |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Official Opening Ceremony: Welcome remarks and institutional commitment to the GCLS project. | Deans of the Faculty of Science and Education and the Mathematical and Natural Sciences (UDFJC) |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Keynote Introduction: Abdus Salam Greater Caribbean Light Source (GCLS) Workshop | Prof. Galileo Violini (CIF/ACCEFYN) |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | Synchrotron sources for microscopy (Presented in English; slides in Spanish) | Giorgio Margaritondo (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne – EPFL) |
| Lunch break | ||
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Practical introduction to synchrotron work | Antonio Gasperini. (Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron – LNLS) |
| 15:00 – 16:30 | Charge movement in electric and magnetic fields | Bernardo Gómez (Universidad de los Andes – Uniandes) |
| Day 2: Aug 4 | Microscopy & Spectroscopy | |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | “X-ray microscopy: Absorption, scattering and diffraction” | Giorgio Margaritondo (EPFL) |
| Lunch break | ||
| 13:00 – 14:30 | “Spectroscopic techniques: XRF, XANES, and HERFD-XANES” | Antonio Gasperini. (LNLS) |
| 15:00 – 16:30 | Resonance and induction accelerators | Bernardo Gómez (Uniandes) |
| Day 3: Aug 5 | Data Analysis & Future | |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | The SYNAPSE project and big data management | Giorgio Margaritondo (EPFL) |
| Lunch break | ||
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Analysis of large volumes of data: PCA and MCR-ALS | Antonio Gasperini. (LNLS) |
| 15:00 – 16:30 | Phase stability accelerators and storage rings | Bernardo Gómez (Uniandes) |
| Day 4: Aug 6 | Symposium & Careers | |
| 08:00 – 11:30 | Mini-Symposium: Regional Research Presentations | G. Violini, S. K. Mtingwa, Antonio Gasperini, A. Moreno, V. Castaño, H. Castillo-Michel, J.Á. Sans. |
| Lunch break | ||
| 13:00 – 14:30 | ICTP Scholarships and STEP programs (Online) | Natasha Stojic/ Atish Dabholkar (ICTP) |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | Career Development: CV writing and motivation letters | Organising Committee |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Closing Ceremony and Certificate Distribution | Organising Committee |
Organising Committee
- Prof. César Aurelio Herreño Fierro (Universidad Distrital, Colombia) – Project Coordinator.
- Prof. Galileo Violini (CIF/ACCEFYN) – Scientific Chair.
- Institutional Support: Deans of the Faculty of Science and Education and the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (UDFJC).
Partners
- ICTP Physics Without Frontiers (PWF).
- Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas.
- Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS, Brazil).
- Centro Internacional de Física (CIF).