China has started operations on a large-scale particle accelerator that aims to explore the limits of atomic nuclei and unravel the fundamental processes of matter and the universe.
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22/07/2026
by
Lusa
Miguel Patinha Dias
Particle accelerators are complex devices that use electromagnetic fields to boost charged particles – such as electrons, protons and ions – at speeds close to that of light.
According to Yang, high-speed heavy ions function as “microscopic bullets” that collide with targets, creating extreme conditions of temperature and pressure.
Built by the Institute of Modern Physics, HIAF generated its first bundle in October 2025, after seven years of work. The structure extends to 80 acres and includes a two-kilometre beam line located 13 metres deep.
It is one of the largest ion accelerators in the world, capable of accelerating all types of ions, with a total beam line of two kilometres, more than 6,000 sets of large equipment and almost five million components.
In the testing phase, the installation reached unprecedented levels of intensity for oxygen and bismuth beams, surpassing previous international records three times and 7.5 times, respectively.
In terms of fundamental research, HIAF will allow you to simulate extreme environments such as the interior of stars, supernova explosions and the first moments of the Big Bang, helping to explore the deep structure of matter.
In terms of applications, the accelerator can test the radiation resistance of spacecraft, support the development of nuclear energy and facilitate the investigation of functional materials.
In the medical field, for example, it should contribute to significant advances in cancer therapy with heavy ions and the creation of new radiopharmaceuticals.