Agreement Reached for Participation in the Commissioning of the 4th-Generation Synchrotron (HEPS) and Accelerator Research Exchange

Korea University (President Dongwon Kim) announced that on October 16 (Wednesday), it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to collaborate on research related to the 4th-generation synchrotron (HEPS, High Energy Photon Source) and the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC), as well as to promote personnel exchanges in accelerator science. The MOU ceremony took place at the office of the President of Korea University.

The MOU signing ceremony was attended by Professor Wang Yifang, Director of IHEP, along with Deputy Director Professor Liu Hui, and Professors Ye Jinbong, Sui Yangpeng, Lou Xinchou, Wang Douyu, and Hui Miao, who are leaders in the field of accelerators. From Korea University, President Dongwon Kim, Vice President Young Kim of the Sejong Campus, and faculty members of the Accelerator Science Department participated.

In addition, a two-day joint research workshop on October 14-15 was held at Korea University's Centennial Memorial Hall. Fifteen experts gave presentations on topics including accelerator devices, particle detectors, beam experiment research, and superconducting accelerator cavities related to the 4th-generation synchrotron and circular colliders.

IHEP's recently established HEPS is a 4th-generation synchrotron accelerator. Construction began in June 2019, and by August 2024, the first beam was successfully stored in the storage ring at the facility in Zhangjing. Currently, the beamline and accelerator are in the commissioning phase. Boasting the world's largest 1.3-km storage ring circumference, HEPS generates high-performance light of up to 300 keV from a 6-GeV electron beam. It will ultimately serve more than 90 high-performance beamlines, providing radiation for applications in aerospace, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, and more.

The CEPC is a next-generation collider designed to accelerate and collide electrons and positrons at extremely high energy states to replicate the universe's conditions one-trillionth of a second after the Big Bang and explore fundamental particles and cosmic mysteries. With a 100-km circumference, this super-scale accelerator is poised to become a core project in particle physics, with operations expected to begin in the late 2030s. Its engineering design has already been completed.

Korea University and IHEP have signed an MOU to collaborate on research related to 4th-generation synchrotrons and circular colliders and to facilitate personnel exchanges. The two institutions have been engaged in research collaboration in beam physics for years. This MOU is expected to enhance Korea University's participation in the commissioning of HEPS and CEPC through its self-developed beam code for research in beam physics and diagnostics, while also advancing the training of specialized personnel in accelerator development.

Dongwon Kim, President of Korea University, stated, “This MOU is expected to yield international research outcomes through collaboration with IHEP on accelerator science and make substantial contributions to the construction and performance enhancement of large-scale accelerators in Korea.”

Wang Yifang, Director of IHEP, remarked, “We highly anticipate the role of Korea University's outstanding accelerator research team in international collaboration. We warmly welcome active personnel exchanges, including participation in HEPS commissioning, CEPC research and development, joint workshops, and researcher dispatch.”

Korea University's Accelerator Science Department currently consists of approximately 40 faculty members and graduate students. The department is actively involved in international collaborations and industry-academic research partnerships, developing superconducting accelerator cavities, beam diagnostic devices, and beam physics research. It also plays a key role in training experts by conducting research using small accelerator beams and supporting the development of core specialized centers for accelerator utilization.