The goal of the SLAC Summer Seminar on Electron and Photon Beams is to introduce senior undergraduates and graduate students to a growing and exciting field of research, the generation of high brightness electron and photon beams for the scientific exploration of matter at the atomic and molecular level, of interest to biology, physics and chemistry, with a resolution of 1 A-1 femtosecond -the characteristic length and time scale of atomic phenomena- and for the study of matter under extreme conditions, as can be found in the interior of planets and stars and of interest to Earth sciences and astrophysics.

The generation of these electron and photon beams and their use to open new windows on science is quite recent, is still evolving and is being pursued in national laboratories and universities in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Australia. New programs are being considered in Africa.

The field offers many exciting opportunities to students for original, novel and breakthrough research. However, to develop the full scientific and innovative potential of this research area, where there is already a large investment of human and financial resources, there is a strong necessity to attract young scientists. The Summer Seminar on Electron and Photon Beams aims to give an important contribution in this direction.

Summer SLAC Organization and Participation

The Summer Seminar is being organized for the first time in Summer 2013. It is open to American and international students, at the senior undergraduate and graduate student levels. A limited number of post-doctoral researchers will also be accepted. The Summer Seminar will be held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, USA from July 22nd to July 26th, 2013.

Participants are expected to follow the lectures and to use some of their time at SLAC to form working groups of 3 to 5 participants to prepare a joint report relevant to the School topics using the SLAC facilities. The reports will be presented on the last day of the school. The lecturers and additional tutors from SLAC will be available to help the participants in the report preparation.

Lodging will be available on the SLAC Campus. The registration fee is $200 and will include coffee and refreshment breaks. There is an additional $50 fee for the optional social events (reception and dinner). The school offers a number of scholarships to help students to participate and reduce their cost.

Interested students must apply on our website by April 15, 2013 (NOTE: The application form is now closed for 2013). The application must include a letter from a professor or senior scientist of the institution where they are studying or doing research. The letters should contain their mail and email addresses, and specify if financial help is needed for travel and/or lodging. The students will be selected by the organizing committee, and will be informed of their acceptance by May 2013.