NanoCharM organized the “1st European School on Ellipsometry”

The 1^st NanoCharM Summer School "1^st European School on Ellipsometry" took place in Ostuni (BR), Italy from 21^st to 26^thSeptember 2008. 115 participants attended the school in total, of which 30% were women. 25 nationalities were represented, mostly from European countries but there were participants also from Israel, Mexico, and USA.

The students, mostly young people, were exposed to an intensive curriculum beginning with the first principles of ellipsometry, reaching advanced applications by the end of the School, all underpinned by practical experience.

The School combined two elements of teaching and learning opportunities: (1) lectures and seminars by eminent ellipsometry practitioners, and (2) lab/practical sessions devoted to more in-depth analyses of specific issues, where participants’ own work could be discussed with the experts. In this way, the School combined traditional teaching methods with the opportunity for young researchers to receive direct, practical guidance.

The Summer School started with an introduction to the NanoCharM project, the history of ellipsometry with comments on the driving forces behind its development. This light approach prepared the attendees for their "full immersion" into the fundamental and theoretical aspects of ellipsometry and polarimetry. The following days were really intense but the response of attendees constantly stimulated the lecturers to give more. In addition to the scheduled lectures and the experimental lab, which helped in understanding real problems related to measurement and analysis, there was a special "tutorial guide to data analysis" and "all question sessions". Coffee breaks also become fora for discussions!. On the second day there was a poster session at which all the participants presented their own research, mainly based on their PhD theses. The evenings and nights were a good time for lively socialising, though some enthusiastic participants continued to work on their case studies

In essence, the School enabled the participants from different disciplines to put together their various experiences and contribute to a broad perspective of the capabilities of ellipsometry and polarimetry. All the participants enjoyed the school, and found it offered a very useful opportunity to exchange ideas, reinforce old collaborations and establish new ones. At the end of the Summer School, all the students received the official Certificate for their attendance, active participation and presentation of their own work at the NanoCharM 1st European School on Ellipsometry 2008.

In conclusion, it was agreed by both professors and attendees that the NanoCharM 1st European School on Ellipsometry was a valuable and fruitful opportunity to deepen their knowledge of ellipsometry and broaden their opportunities for research among an international body of scientists of all ages.