PSI launches Swiss Light Source SLS 2.0 with next-generation synchrotron technology to advance science and industry

PSI launches Swiss Light Source SLS 2.0 with next-generation synchrotron technology to advance science and industry

(IN BRIEF) The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) has inaugurated the upgraded Swiss Light Source (SLS 2.0), a state-of-the-art synchrotron facility offering X-ray light up to 1000 times more intense than before. Celebrated in the presence of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and regional leaders, the upgrade will accelerate scientific discovery across fields from medicine and materials science to climate research and semiconductors. The project included constructing a 288-metre storage ring with extreme precision, installing thousands of custom-built components, and reducing energy consumption by one-third through advanced engineering and renewable power. With this achievement, Switzerland becomes the first country to upgrade its national synchrotron to next-generation standards, ensuring the SLS remains a critical tool for researchers worldwide and reinforcing the country’s standing as a hub for innovation and science.

(PRESS RELEASE) VILLIGEN, 22-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) has officially inaugurated the upgraded Swiss Light Source (SLS 2.0), a project that places Switzerland at the forefront of global synchrotron technology. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, alongside PSI Director Christian Rüegg, Aargau government representative Martina Bircher, and project leader Hans Braun, joined around 150 guests from science, industry, and politics to celebrate the achievement on 21 August 2025.

Originally commissioned in 2001 as one of the world’s pioneering national synchrotron light facilities, the SLS has now become the first such centre to undergo a comprehensive technological upgrade. With X-ray light up to 1000 times more intense than before, the new facility will enable experiments that were once unimaginable, providing breakthroughs across healthcare, climate science, energy research, materials engineering, and next-generation technologies.

“The SLS was and remains an infrastructure for the common good,” said Christian Rüegg. “With its upgrade, Swiss and international researchers alike can access a tool that allows us to ask and answer questions vital for people and the planet.”

The Swiss Light Source functions as a powerful X-ray microscope, allowing scientists to observe proteins, cells, tissues, materials, and molecules at atomic resolution. Thanks to the upgrade, experiments that once required days can now be completed in minutes, opening the door to entirely new types of research. Examples highlighted at the inauguration included 3D imaging of brain tissue to better understand Alzheimer’s disease, nanoscale semiconductor inspection crucial for national security, improved catalyst research, and unprecedented opportunities to investigate complex protein structures for drug discovery.

In his remarks, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin described the SLS upgrade as a milestone for Switzerland’s reputation as a research nation: “This facility embodies Switzerland’s long-term vision, innovative spirit, and perseverance. It sends a clear message that our country is investing in its future as a hub for science and technology.”

Hans Braun, project leader, emphasized the precision required to realize the upgrade: “We built a 288-metre electron storage ring with the precision of a Swiss watch and completed it on time like a Swiss train. The result is a masterpiece of engineering, planning, and scientific ambition.” The new system not only delivers much more intense light but also consumes 33% less electricity, aided by cutting-edge energy-saving technologies and a solar-panelled roof.

Behind the scenes, the upgrade was a massive engineering effort: over 4000 tonnes of concrete were temporarily removed, 500 copper vacuum chambers and 1000 high-precision magnet systems were installed, and approximately 500 kilometres of cables were laid. Many of these components were designed and manufactured in collaboration with Swiss industry, showcasing the national innovation ecosystem.

Over its 24 years of service, the SLS has hosted more than 22,500 experiments, contributing to major advances in chemistry, medicine, and structural biology—including over 10,000 solved protein structures and several Nobel Prize-winning discoveries. Now, SLS 2.0 joins a select group of only four other facilities worldwide operating with next-generation synchrotron technology, positioning Switzerland as a leader in both fundamental science and industrial applications.

Media Contact:

Dr. Hans-Heinrich Braun
SLS 2.0 Project Leader
Paul Scherrer Institute PSI
+41 56 310 32 41
hans.braun@psi.ch

SOURCE: Paul Scherrer Institute