Building Africa’s synchrotron community starts with people. This page gathers the best openly available courses, online lectures, textbooks and schools for learning accelerator physics, synchrotron science and X-ray techniques — from first-day introductions through to advanced specialist training.
Upcoming workshops and schools
Hands-on workshops, summer schools and training events for the AfLS community are advertised on an ongoing basis. New training opportunities, dates and application details are announced through the AfLS user and events programme.
FEATURED MOOCSynchrotrons and X-Ray Free Electron Lasers
An extensive introduction to synchrotron and X-Ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities and the associated experimental techniques. The course covers how these large-scale light sources are built and operated, and how researchers use the intense beams they produce.
Offered by the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), it is a strong starting point for students and researchers who want a thorough grounding in light-source science. A companion introductory video lecture provides an accessible overview of the field for newcomers.
ONLINE COURSESNPAP MOOCs on Particle Accelerators
The Nordic Particle Accelerator Program (NPAP) offers a series of free massive open online courses (MOOCs) that progress from the fundamentals of accelerators to specialised applications. Together they form a coherent route into accelerator physics for self-paced learners.
MOOC 1 — Introduction to Particle Accelerators
An entry-level overview of how particle accelerators work and where they are used. Topics include:
- Accelerators for synchrotron light
- Photon light sources and MAX IV
- Spallation sources and the European Spallation Source (ESS)
- Particle colliders
MOOC 2 — Fundamentals of Particle Accelerator Technology
A deeper treatment of the underlying technology that makes accelerators work, building on the introductory course to give learners the core engineering and physics concepts behind modern machines.
MOOC 3 — Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators
An applied course exploring how accelerator technology is used in medicine, from imaging to cancer therapy, illustrating the wider societal impact of accelerator science.
READINGRecommended Textbooks
A short shelf of authoritative texts spanning accelerator physics, beam dynamics and machine optimisation — several available as open-access editions from their publishers.
- Accelerator Physics by S. Y. Lee (World Scientific) — a widely used graduate-level reference covering the physics of charged-particle accelerators.
- An Introduction to Beam Physics by Martin Berz, Kyoko Makino and Weishi Wan (Taylor & Francis) — a foundational text on the dynamics of particle beams.
- Beam-based Correction and Optimization for Accelerators by Xiaobiao Huang (Taylor & Francis) — practical methods for measuring, correcting and optimising accelerator performance.
- The Science and Technology of Particle Accelerators by Rob Appleby, Graeme Burt, James Clarke and Hywel Owen (Taylor & Francis) — a broad, modern survey of accelerator science and engineering.
IN-PERSON TRAININGAccelerator Schools & Events
The US Particle Accelerator School (USPAS)
A long-running educational programme that delivers intensive, university-credit courses in accelerator science and technology, taught by leading practitioners. USPAS is a well-established route for early-career researchers seeking advanced, hands-on training.
Light-source events and training opportunities
A continually updated calendar of synchrotron and light-source workshops, schools and conferences relevant to the African community is maintained as part of the AfLS user and events programme. These in-person opportunities complement the online courses and reading above, giving learners direct access to facilities, instructors and peers.