SYNCHROTRON-LIGHT FOR EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Partner Information

  • Partner Full Name: SYNCHROTRON-LIGHT FOR EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
  • Partner Short Name: SESAME
  • Country: Jordan
  • Website: www.sesame.org.jo

SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) is a third-generation synchrotron light source in Allan (Jordan). It is the Middle East's first major international research centre. It is a cooperative venture by scientists and governments in the region, set up on the model of CERN, which is an autonomous intergovernmental organization. The SESAME Members (as of July 2024) are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. SESAME also has several observers who have an advisory role. Current Observers are Brazil, Canada, CERN, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.

SESAME's objectives are to promote scientific and technological excellence in the Middle East and neighboring countries, prevent or reverse the brain drain, and enable world-class scientific research in various fields such as biology, archaeology, medical sciences, materials science, physics, chemistry, and life sciences. SESAME aims to establish connections between different societies and foster a culture of peace by encouraging international collaboration in scientific endeavors.

SESAME currently operates five beamlines dedicated to infrared microspectroscopy, soft X-ray spectroscopy, hard X-ray spectroscopy, powder diffraction, and microtomography. As an associate member of the League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources (LEAPS), SESAME has been able to establish collaborative partnerships with multiple European research infrastructures, which have facilitated the transmission of specialised technologies and staff training.