Canadian Light Source Synchrotron at University of Saskatchewan Receives $3 Million CAD in Upgrade Funding

On August 26, Innovation Saskatchewan announced that it will provide $3 million CAD in funding to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan to support the installation of an advanced solid-state amplifier, advancing the facility's upgrade efforts.

According to reports, this solid-state amplifier is a key component of the Canadian Light Source's core particle accelerator and will support the operation of its 22 synchrotron radiation beamlines. The upgrade is expected to enhance facility performance, operational reliability, and energy efficiency, further strengthening its capacity for cutting-edge scientific research.

The Canadian Light Source is Canada's only synchrotron facility. Synchrotrons use electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to accelerate electrons to near the speed of light, keeping them in a circular orbit; as electrons move, they generate high-brightness, highly focused synchrotron radiation beams, which are directed to different experimental beamlines to help researchers study material structures and properties at the atomic scale.

Saskatchewan's Minister responsible for Innovation stated that investing in world-class research infrastructure helps strengthen the province's innovation ecosystem, fosters collaboration among researchers, industry, and research institutions, and drives scientific discovery, technology transfer, and economic growth.

Innovation Saskatchewan stated that recent research projects at the Canadian Light Source cover enhancing the value of local crops, advancing precision agriculture, improving the sustainability of building materials, and supporting research that can strengthen Canada's nuclear energy-related technologies. The Canadian Light Source noted that the new solid-state amplifier will improve facility reliability and performance, providing researchers and industry partners with more powerful experimental tools.

The University of Saskatchewan stated that the synchrotron is an important platform for the province's participation in global scientific research and innovation. This investment will help researchers and industry partners conduct more studies and develop solutions with practical applications. Since 2018, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $40 million CAD in the Canadian Light Source.