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NanoTerasu - Japan's most powerful next-generation 3GeV synchrotron radiation facility, situated at the new extension of Tohoku University's Aobayama Campus - celebrated the achievement of its first beam on December 7.

In front of a group of invited guests, stakeholders and local media, Shigeo Koyasu, President of the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), and Masaki Takata, President of the Photon Science Innovation Center (PhoSIC), operated the main beamline shutters for BL13U and BL10U, verifying that the synchrotron light of each beamline reached the screen inside the optical hatches.

This marked the first observation of synchrotron radiation x-rays from an insertion source installed in a circular accelerator into an experimental hall.

"NanoTerasu is the first 3GeV high-brilliance synchrotron radiation facility in Japan to use a fourth-generation light source, and is particularly strong in the energy range from soft to tender x-rays," said Koyasu, adding that radiation shielding and systems to ensure the safe introduction of synchrotron radiation into the experimental hall have been completed. "This is also the first synchrotron radiation facility in Japan not to have its experimental hall in a radiation-controlled area, which will make it more accessible and easier to use."

Synchrotron radiation has developed into an advanced measurement technique used not only for basic academic research, but also in various industrial fields such as energy, materials science and biotechnology.

"Starting next spring, the experimental hall will be home to over a hundred large companies, as well as more than 16 major universities and national research institutes. The convergence of people from different fields through research and development will revolutionize innovation," said Takata, who is also a professor at Tohoku University's International Center for Synchrotron Radiation Innovation Smart (SRIS).

"NanoTerasu has the potential to change the world by providing the tools to better tackle urgent issues like climate change or carbon neutral. And for Tohoku University, it will be a new era of enhanced R&D capabilities."

Construction of NanoTerasu began in 2018 through a public-private regional partnership. QST is the national representative responsible for the construction and operation of the facility, while PhoSIC represents the private and regional partners, including Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Tohoku University and the Tohoku Economic Federation.

NanoTerasu's accelerator and beamlines will now be further adjusted, and the facility is scheduled to officially begin operations next spring.