The Platform of Advanced Photon Source (PAPS) technology R&D project started operation on June 28, with equipment such as the radio frequency and cryogenic systems, and magnet measurement and X-ray optical inspection devices coming into service. Among the first group of research platform projects in Beijing, the PAPS project is the first to pass scientific acceptance and begins operation. PAPS provides strong support for construction, testing and technology R&D for the High Energy Proton Source (HEPS).

This milestone is a symbol that Huairou Science City is moving from the construction phase to the operational phase, just as the 14th Five-Year Plan begins.

The PAPS project is located opposite HEPS and has a land area of 42,640 square meters and building area of 21,295 square meters. Its 4-year construction period began in May 2017. The Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is responsible for the scientific work associated with constructing the PAPS project and Huairou Science City Ltd. is responsible for the civil construction. Through the PAPS project, much frontier, systematic research work has been carried out to develop key technologies required for HEPS, such as in the fields of radio frequency and cryogenics, magnetic measurement and detector technology R&D and testing, and X-ray optical inspection, etc. All in all, PAPS provides strong technical support for the construction, operation and subsequent development of advanced light source projects.

Many scientific results have already been achieved. For example, the high Q 1.3 GHz 9-cell cavities have reached internationally advanced standards. The PAPS project passed the acceptance test organized by relevant departments and institutes on June 18, 2021. The test showed that the parameters of every system all reached or exceeded their design parameters.