The HALF facility, a fourth-generation synchrotron light source, successfully generated its first electron beam on September 20 in Hefei, Anhui Province. The project reached a milestone as the electron gun formed a beam that traveled through a 192-meter linear accelerator, reaching its design energy of 2.2 GeV.
The linear accelerator serves as a critical component, providing the electron beam that will eventually power the storage ring and experimental stations. Engineers are now preparing for the next phase, which involves configuring electron injection into the storage ring to achieve stable operational conditions for the entire complex.
Once fully operational, HALF is expected to produce soft X-ray radiation with brightness and coherence levels exceeding those of third-generation sources by more than 100 times. This capability will enable high-precision research into particle behavior, light element structures, and the spin states of various materials.
The facility is designed to support research in materials science, energy, and life sciences. Potential applications include studies on high-temperature superconductivity, next-generation batteries, aerospace technologies, and biomedicine, positioning HALF as a leading low-energy synchrotron source globally.
