China's China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) has reached a significant milestone in its Phase II construction, with its first beamline—the neutron technology development station—successfully producing a neutron beam. This marks the completion of equipment development and installation for the beamline. Located in Dongguan, Guangdong province, the facility operates like a super microscope, using neutrons to examine materials and support breakthroughs in renewable energy, aerospace, and bioscience.
The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is China's first and the world's fourth pulsed spallation neutron source, operated by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and located in Dongguan, Guangdong province. It functions like a super microscope, using neutrons to reveal hidden details in materials, such as metal fatigue or battery performance, and supports breakthroughs in fields like renewable energy, aerospace, and bioscience.
The Phase II project began construction in 2024 and is scheduled for completion by 2029. Its proton accelerator's target power will rise to 500 kilowatts, increasing the "brightness" of its neutron "flashlight" to detect fainter structural signals in materials and achieve nanoscale precision in material structure studies.
The newly completed neutron technology development station serves as a dedicated test-bed for developing neutron detection technologies. It features an ultra-clean environment with minimal background noise to capture faint neutron signals and high efficiency that enables scientists to verify new technologies more quickly. After five years of interdisciplinary efforts, researchers have overcome challenges in the beamline's design and construction, including precise control of the neutron beam, dynamic equipment switching, and relocation of heavy components. These advancements will provide standardized testing conditions for domestically developed scientific instruments, ensuring the timely completion of the CSNS Phase II project.
Additionally, CSNS recently achieved a record 185 kW of beam power on target with 72 hours of continuous, stable operation, following breakthroughs of 160 kW and 170 kW in 2024. This progress has shortened user experiment durations, optimized facility utilization efficiency, and offered stronger technical support for cutting-edge research. It also validates the core technical pathways for beam power enhancement in Phase II, advancing China's spallation neutron source technology toward international leadership.
