Russia's SKIF Synchrotron Considers Building Enterprise-Funded Experimental Stations

The Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron project in Russia is considering the construction of enterprise-funded experimental stations. Andrei Bukhtiyarov, Deputy Director of the SKIF Shared Use Center, stated that this idea is expected to advance after the first-phase experimental stations are put into operation and their operational capabilities are verified.

According to reports, construction of the SKIF synchrotron was completed in June 2026. Once the facility becomes operational, it will help researchers obtain high-precision data on the internal structure and behavior of materials. The first phase of the SKIF project, located near Novosibirsk, plans a total of 7 experimental stations, all scheduled to become operational by August 2027, when research teams can begin conducting relevant experiments.

Bukhtiyarov stated that the project team is discussing with partners the possibility of enterprise participation in building experimental stations. He believes that such cooperation will only gain a more realistic foundation after the first-phase stations are launched and demonstrate their ability to produce mature results.

He also noted that future experimental stations could be built under a fully private model or advanced through a public-private partnership approach. Enterprises investing in construction would receive a certain amount of reserved beam time annually and enjoy priority in experiment scheduling.