National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) is associated with the Hefei Light Source.
At a glance
National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) is associated with the Hefei Light Source.
The platform supports experimental research in materials, chemistry, energy and related fields.
National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
The facility provides synchrotron-light-based scientific experimentation in materials, energy, chemistry and related fields. The background profile describes the Hefei Light Source as based on an 800 MeV storage ring, with a major HLS-II upgrade.
- Infrared spectroscopy and soft X-ray microscopy
- Photoemission spectroscopy and surface science
- Catalysis, combustion science and XMCD techniques
- Hefei Advanced Light Facility research development
University research standing: rankings with year and source
University-wide research rankings measure different dimensions of performance. The 2026 ARWU and Best Chinese Universities results are published by ShanghaiRanking; the QS figure refers to the 2027 QS edition. These are university-level positions, not rankings of the West Campus or any individual research laboratory.
| Edition | Publisher and ranking | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ShanghaiRanking ARWU | World #39 | Ranking publisher ↗ |
| 2026 | ShanghaiRanking Best Chinese Universities | China #7 | Ranking publisher ↗ |
| 2027 | QS World University Rankings | World =134 | Ranking publisher ↗ |
Research strengths highlighted by USTC include scientific instrumentation, physical sciences, information science, engineering and applications in materials and life science. The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory and fire-science infrastructure illustrate why specialist research capacity cannot be summarized by one league-table number.
Scientific questions and facilities
National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory | Scientific questions and facilities
The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory is associated with Hefei's dedicated synchrotron light source and research in materials, chemistry and condensed matter science. Electrons circulating in a storage ring produce radiation used for spectroscopy and imaging. Beamlines deliver light with particular properties to experimental stations. Such measurements can reveal electronic structure, chemical states and surface processes. The facility's role therefore extends beyond machine engineering into the scientific questions pursued by users.
Synchrotron radiation for materials and surface science
The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory is among USTC’s signature national research facilities. The Hefei Light Source generates intense electromagnetic radiation using accelerated electrons, enabling investigations of the electronic structure, surfaces and chemistry of materials.
Techniques supported by the platform include infrared spectroscopy, photoemission, soft X-ray analysis and surface science. Beamline design determines what can be measured and at which energy range.