Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Name	Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Caption	Aerial view of the SSRF complex in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.
Coordinates	31, 11, 31, N...
Established	2004
Operated by	Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Energy	3.5 GeV
Circumference	432 m
Location	Pudong, Shanghai, China
Website	http://ssrf.sinap.ac.cn

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility is a major third-generation synchrotron light source located in Pudong, Shanghai. Operated by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it is a cornerstone of China's national scientific infrastructure. The facility provides intense X-ray beams for multidisciplinary research in fields such as materials science, structural biology, and chemistry.

Overview

The facility is situated within the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, a hub for scientific research and technological innovation. As a national user facility, it serves thousands of researchers annually from across China and internationally. Its design and capabilities place it among the world's leading medium-energy synchrotron radiation sources, comparable to facilities like Advanced Photon Source and European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The core of the facility is a 3.5 GeV electron storage ring, which produces highly brilliant synchrotron radiation.

History and Development

The project was formally approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2004, following years of feasibility studies and planning by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Major construction took place between 2004 and 2007, with the first electron beam stored in the ring in 2007. The facility was officially opened to users in 2009, marking a significant milestone for big science infrastructure in China. Subsequent phases have focused on expanding its suite of beamlines and experimental stations.

Scientific Instruments and Beamlines

The facility hosts over a dozen operational beamlines, each tailored for specific experimental techniques. Key beamlines include those for X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and X-ray imaging. Notable instruments include the BL17U microfocus beamline for protein crystallography and the BL13W beamline for biomedical imaging. These beamlines are equipped with advanced detectors and optics developed in collaboration with institutions like Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Research and Applications

Research at the facility spans a vast range of scientific disciplines. In structural biology, it aids in determining the three-dimensional structures of proteins and viruses, contributing to drug discovery. In materials science, it is used to study novel catalysts, energy storage materials like lithium-ion batteries, and semiconductor nanostructures. Environmental scientists utilize it for analyzing pollutant speciation and soil chemistry. The facility has supported research published in journals such as *Nature* and *Science*.

Technical Specifications

The accelerator complex consists of a 150 MeV linear accelerator (linac) injector, a 3.5 GeV booster synchrotron, and the 432-meter circumference storage ring. The storage ring operates at a beam current of 300 mA and employs advanced insertion devices, including undulators and wigglers, to produce high-brilliance photon beams. The X-ray beams cover a spectral range from infrared to hard X-rays, with critical photon energies up to 22.5 keV.

Management and Collaboration

The facility is managed by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), with oversight from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It operates under a peer-reviewed proposal system for user access. The SSRF actively collaborates with international partners, including the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SPring-8 in Japan, and the Synchrotron Radiation Research Center in Taiwan. It is also a key component of the National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai and collaborates with industrial partners like Sinopec and Huawei.

Category:Synchrotron radiation facilities Category:Research institutes in Shanghai Category:Chinese Academy of Sciences Category:Buildings and structures in Pudong