Building new range of innovation platform to address social issues: Next-generation synchrotron radiation facility NanoTerasu

Abstract

NanoTerasu is expected to start operation in April 2024. It is a next-generation synchrotron radiation facility constructed at Tohoku University Aobayama New Campus (Sendai City). Regarding synchrotron radiation facilities, SPring-8 in Hyogo Prefecture, which began operation in 1997, is well known to the general public. After approximately a quarter of a century, the new facility of NanoTerasu was established and will be operated by the government. The accelerator technology that produces light is based on the unique technology of synchrotron radiation science in Japan, which has been refined at SPring-8. However, SPring-8 and NanoTerasu have different uses; SPring-8 has capability in using hard X-rays, whereas the strength of NanoTerasu lies in using soft X-rays. Leveraging this strength, we are aiming to contribute to solving social issues such as the creation of a carbon-neutral society. In this article, our challenges with NanoTerasu are described in detail.