China fires up powerful particle accelerator to unlock secrets of atoms

China has officially launched its High Intensity Heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), a state-of-the-art particle accelerator in Huizhou, Guangdong province. This facility boasts the world's most powerful beams of charged atoms, marking a significant advancement in scientific research capabilities. The activation follows 16 years of development by researchers at the Institute of Modern Physics in Lanzhou, Gansu, and their collaborators.

The HIAF is designed to push the boundaries of nuclear physics, enabling scientists to create novel atomic nuclei. This capability is expected to accelerate research in critical fields, including the development of more effective cancer treatments and the creation of advanced materials for spacecraft. The facility's scientific operations have commenced after its construction was completed earlier this week.

Boasting a price tag of 2.6 billion yuan (US$384.1 million), HIAF sets a new global benchmark. It can pack up to eight times more atoms into each pulse compared to the previous world record holder, a German particle accelerator located in Darmstadt. Unlike many similar facilities, HIAF integrates a 100-meter linear accelerator, a 570-meter circular accelerator, and advanced storage rings into a single, comprehensive complex, enhancing its research potential.