First batch of experimental stations at Russia's Siberian Circular Photon Source expected to be operational by end of 2026

On August 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting of the Council for Science and Education that the first research stations of the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026.

At the meeting, Putin noted that the Siberian Circular Photon Source is currently one of the world's most powerful particle accelerators, with some parameters being unique, capable of helping researchers conduct in-depth studies of the structure of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. He also stated that Russia needs to accelerate the development of future technologies, concentrate efforts on priority tasks, and make more efficient use of national strategic scientific resources, including research institutions, advanced digital computing resources, and unique biological resources.

The Siberian Circular Photon Source is Russia's first 4+ generation synchrotron radiation facility with an energy of 3 billion electron volts, classified as a "mega-science" class research infrastructure. The commissioning of this facility will enable researchers to obtain new data on the structure and properties of matter at the micro and nano scales, and is expected to serve practical research needs in fields such as biology, medicine, chemistry, and energy.

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, stated that the corporation plans to use the Siberian Circular Photon Source, located in Novosibirsk Oblast, to conduct research related to atomic energy development, and confirmed its intention to build an "Isotope" experimental station. This station will support research in closed nuclear fuel cycle, new materials, radiochemical processes, and nuclear medicine.

It is reported that Russia's nuclear energy industry is advancing the technologies required for the transition to a two-component energy system based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Among these, the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel using radiochemical technologies and the extraction of valuable nuclear materials from it are important steps in achieving a closed nuclear fuel cycle. The general contractor for the construction of the Siberian Circular Photon Source synchrotron is Titan-2 Holding Company.