Accelerating electrons and generating light; Using light as a 'ruler' to analyze and explore the microstructure and evolution mechanism of matter... Like an oversized X-ray machine, synchrotron radiation sources can better 'see' the microscopic world. The reporter recently learned from the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that China's first and first generation synchrotron radiation light source, the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF), was reopened; The fourth generation synchrotron radiation light source with the highest design brightness in the world, and also the first high-energy synchrotron radiation light source (HEPS) in China, will be completed by the end of 2025 and meet the acceptance conditions for trial operation. The first generation of synchrotron radiation light source in China has made great achievements. Experts from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced that the basic principle of synchrotron radiation light source is to "accelerate electrons and generate light", which generates electromagnetic radiation by accelerating electrons and making them move along an arc track in the magnetic field. When high-speed moving electrons change their direction of motion under the action of a magnetic field, they will release synchrotron radiation in the tangential direction. Through fine modulation of beamlines, high-quality light is provided to scientists in fields such as aerospace, energy and environment, biomedicine, and physical chemistry to analyze and explore the microstructure and evolution mechanism of substances. The Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility is China's first and first generation synchrotron radiation light source, with 14 beamlines and experimental stations, providing synchrotron radiation ranging from vacuum ultraviolet to hard X-ray energy. Since its operation in 1990, it has always adhered to the policy of "openness, cooperation, exploration, and innovation", and is fully open to domestic and foreign scientific research units, universities, and other institutions for free. Chen Hesheng, an academician of the CAS Member and director of the National Laboratory of the Beijing Positron Collider, introduced that for more than 30 years, the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Device has provided a solid experimental platform for the research of condensed matter physics, chemistry and chemical engineering, life science, material science and environmental science with dedicated light and dual-use light modes, and has achieved a series of research results such as the molecular structure analysis of SARS virus protein, the molecular mechanism of action of arsenic in treating leukemia. It is reported that with the completion of the upgrade and renovation of the Beijing Electron Positron Collider in May 2025, the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility will retain 8 beamline stations and continue to be open to the public in a year-round light operation mode. Super sized X-ray machine! The high brightness of the fourth generation high-energy synchrotron radiation light source determines that it can be used to perform many tasks that conventional light sources cannot. The high-energy synchrotron radiation light source under construction by Huairou and Yanqi Lake in Beijing is the world's fourth generation synchrotron radiation light source with the highest designed brightness. After completion, it will emit the "brightest light" on Earth and provide various cutting-edge experimental methods such as nanoprobes, inelastic scattering, coherent diffraction, and ultra-high time resolution. This is also China's first high-energy synchrotron radiation light source, combined with high-energy X-rays with an energy of up to 300 kiloelectron volts, to assist in real-time, in-situ, and practical analysis of material microstructures and their evolution mechanisms, and to carry out more sensitive, refined, rapid, complex, and realistic scientific research in working environments. Pan Weimin, the overall commander of the High Energy Synchrotron Radiation Light Source Project, introduced that since the start of construction in 2019, the High Energy Synchrotron Radiation Light Source has basically completed the construction of accelerators and beamline stations, carried out multi wheel belt light joint debugging, and all 15 beamline stations have emitted light. The installation team has used innovative research and development cutting-edge methods to assist accelerator beam adjustment, solved key dimming problems such as nano focusing mirrors, and achieved full chain collaborative debugging of "accelerator insert beamline experimental station". Good progress has been made in beam emissivity, dimming methods, etc. It is reported that the high-energy synchrotron radiation light source can accommodate up to 90 beamline stations. In order to quickly utilize the capacity of the large device, the high-energy synchrotron radiation light source team is also promoting the construction plan of subsequent beamline stations. With the support of various departments, they actively explore new investment models through multiple channels, deeply cooperate with scientific research users and enterprise users, and promote the continuous construction of beamline stations. They look forward to reaching 45 beamline stations during the "15th Five Year Plan" period to better support cutting-edge basic research and industrial research and development in various fields. Four Generations Under One Roof: The "Light Source" family adds power to cutting-edge technology. Synchrotron radiation light sources can provide microscopic observation methods for advanced functional materials, energy and environment, life sciences and medicine, and are globally recognized as the "eyes of cutting-edge scientific research". At present, in addition to the first generation light source of the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, China has also built the second generation light source located in Hefei, Anhui and the third generation light source located in Zhangjiang, Shanghai. The first three generations of synchrotron radiation sources have been applied to study material structures, properties, and phase transitions, such as structural analysis and defect research of materials such as crystals and ceramics; It is also used for the exploration and research of new materials, such as semiconductors, superconductors, nanomaterials, etc; Research related to life sciences, such as structural biology, functional studies of biomolecules, and drug development, provides high-resolution information on the structure of biomolecules in related fields. It helps people understand the structure and function of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, and contributes to the progress of new drug development, genetic engineering, and other fields. The high brightness and high coherence advantages of the fourth generation light source, combined with emerging experimental technologies, will further broaden the boundaries of scientific research, provide strong support for strategic frontier research such as high-temperature superconductivity and new energy solid-state batteries, while improving the quality and efficiency of microstructure analysis, and assisting the development of industries such as new material research and new drug screening. Dong Yuhui, Executive Deputy Commander in Chief of the High Energy Synchrotron Radiation Light Source Project, introduced that in order to fully leverage the role of the international advanced fourth generation light source, the High Energy Synchrotron Radiation Light Source team actively promotes the achievement of acceptance indicators, maintains in-depth communication and exchanges with research institutes, enterprises and other user units in various fields, collects the first batch of experimental plans and major research and development needs in various fields, and ensures that scientific needs guide the construction of the High Energy Synchrotron Radiation Light Source through the joint debugging of experimental guidance devices. Multiple domain specific user seminars have been organized to strive for quick and good results, and international cooperation, user-friendly environment construction and other work have been carried out at the same time. Based on the achievements of the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, the high-energy synchrotron radiation light source will target major national needs, industrial innovation, and scientific research frontiers, and carry out experimental research that reflects and leverages the high-level and high-performance advantages of the fourth generation light source. ”Pan Weimin said. (New Society)