« This Ultra-Powerful Innovation »: China’s world-beating X-ray light source nears completion, promising to illuminate the mysteries of science

As China finalizes construction on what promises to be the world’s brightest X-ray light source, the scientific community waits in anticipation. The High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), located just north of Beijing, is set to revolutionize research in materials science, biomedicine, and physics. With beams a trillion times brighter than the sun’s surface, HEPS is poised to illuminate the microscopic world with unparalleled clarity. This ambitious project led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of High Energy Physics marks a significant leap in X-ray technology, promising to unveil the intricacies of matter in ways never before possible.

Unveiling the Power of HEPS

HEPS brings a transformative power to the field of X-ray technology with beams a trillion times brighter than the surface of the sun. This immense brightness allows scientists to delve into the atomic structure of materials with unprecedented detail. The facility’s advanced capabilities will surpass existing counterparts in Europe, Asia, and the United States, setting a new benchmark in photon density and precision. “Once HEPS reaches its designed brightness, it will be capable of revealing the microscopic world in unprecedented detail,” said Pan Weimin, project director at the Institute of High Energy Physics.

HEPS’s cutting-edge design incorporates ultra-low-emittance storage rings, ensuring electron beams remain stable and highly focused. This technology enables scientists to observe smaller structures, faster processes, and weaker signals with exceptional clarity. As a fourth-generation light source, HEPS will provide new insights into the atomic level of materials and biological systems, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.

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Advancing X-Ray Technology

Since the 1970s, over 70 light sources have been developed worldwide to explore the atomic structure of materials. These large-scale machines accelerate electrons to near-light speed, using powerful magnets to guide them. HEPS stands as a major technological advancement, featuring innovations such as ultra-low-emittance storage rings. These rings maintain electron beams with remarkable stability and focus, allowing for the observation of intricate molecular structures. The facility’s brightness is expected to exceed that of existing fourth-generation facilities like the Extremely Brilliant Source in France.

HEPS also introduces a groundbreaking method for injection and extraction, enhancing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. By recycling low-energy electron beams, HEPS conserves energy and improves beam quality. This innovation not only optimizes the facility’s performance but also underscores the importance of sustainability in scientific advancements. Professor JIAO Yi from the Institute of High Energy Physics notes, “This injection scheme allows for electron beam recycling, enhancing the environmental sustainability of the process.”

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A Key Addition to China’s Scientific Infrastructure

With an investment of 4.8 billion yuan (US$665 million), HEPS represents a major national science infrastructure project. Construction began in June 2019, and the accelerator along with the initial set of 14 user beamlines are now complete. HEPS will complement the existing Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), which has been operational since 2009. The SSRF has hosted over 10,000 researchers, supporting thousands of experiments annually. However, the growing demand for beamline access has led to long wait times. HEPS is expected to alleviate this pressure by providing additional capacity and resources.

As HEPS nears completion, China is poised to lead in next-generation light source technology. This powerful research tool will open new frontiers in various scientific fields, pushing the limits of what can be observed and understood at an atomic level. With its state-of-the-art capabilities, HEPS promises to foster a new era of scientific exploration and discovery.

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The Road Ahead for HEPS

As HEPS enters its final stages of construction, the anticipation within the scientific community continues to build. The facility’s light commissioning, a crucial phase for testing and fine-tuning, is already underway. This step ensures that the system is ready for trial operations, setting the stage for groundbreaking research. The Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of High Energy Physics, leading the project, emphasizes the importance of independent innovation in HEPS’ development.

Looking ahead, HEPS promises to be a cornerstone of China’s scientific infrastructure, providing researchers with a powerful tool to manipulate matter and observe its life cycle. As the world watches, HEPS stands ready to illuminate the path to new scientific discoveries. How will this groundbreaking facility shape the future of scientific exploration and innovation?

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