China's High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), a flagship scientific project described as a "super-powered X-ray microscope," is on track to begin trial operations by late 2025. The fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facility in Beijing's Huairou District promises to transform research capabilities across multiple disciplines.
Engineering Marvel Takes Shape
Since construction began in 2019, the HEPS project has completed critical phases including accelerator installation and beamline development. All 15 Phase I beamlines have successfully generated light, according to Pan Weimin, director of the HEPS project. The facility will eventually support up to 90 beamlines, with plans for 45 operational lines by 2030.
Strategic Scientific Advancement
As China's first high-energy fourth-generation light source, HEPS boasts world-leading brightness levels capable of examining materials at atomic scales. Researchers anticipate breakthroughs in solid-state battery development, high-temperature superconductors, and pharmaceutical innovation. The Institute of High Energy Physics emphasizes the facility's role in addressing national strategic needs and industrial challenges.
Expanding Research Infrastructure
China now maintains synchrotron facilities across four technological generations, with HEPS joining existing installations in Beijing, Hefei, and Shanghai. This network positions the country at the forefront of materials science and chemical engineering research, offering unprecedented tools for academic and industrial collaboration.
