Russian scientists have manufactured the first 10-meter segment of the future Sila synchrotron. This was announced by Alexander Blagov, Vice-President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, at the SKIF-2026 conference. The project is being implemented at the site of the A. A. Logunov Institute for High Energy Physics in Protvino.

Sila stands for Synchrotron-LAser. The ring consists of repeating segments: scientists have manufactured all elements of one segment and assembled them in a single hall. According to Blagov, the main stage of research and development work has been completed — technologies for the accelerator, ring, and stations have been prepared.

The complex's design parameters are: storage ring perimeter — about 1110 meters, electron energy in the linear accelerator — 6 GeV with adjustment in the range of 2–4 GeV. It is planned to include 46 experimental synchrotron radiation stations and six free-electron laser (FEL) stations. The construction area is 189.4 thousand sq. m, the budget is over 140 billion rubles. The share of Russian developments among the station elements has reached about 90%. European projects (ESRF-EBS) were used in the development of the magnetic structure of the ring, but with significant changes to improve characteristics.

The synchrotron will provide bright, wavelength-tunable radiation for studying material structures, while the FEL will generate ultrashort coherent pulses for observing ultrafast processes. At the stations, it will be possible to create extreme conditions: ultra-low and high temperatures, different pressures, exposure to light, electric, and magnetic fields. Synchrotron radiation is in demand in metallurgy, energy, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medicine.

Energy-intensive laser installations are planned to be connected to the 220 kV Proton substation — the external power supply scheme has been worked out by the System Operator and IHEP. The project includes a nuclear medicine center with radiation therapy methods "Luch U-70" and "Luch TIP-ION". Along with the complex, a science town with housing, a hotel, a polyclinic, and a sports complex is planned to be built — this will create more than 2 thousand jobs. According to project documentation, commissioning is scheduled for December 2036, although 2033 was previously mentioned. To train personnel, MEPhI is opening a branch in Protvino.

The building project for the Sila complex was developed by AO "53 Central Design Institute" (53 TsPI). The organization's website states that the new installation will surpass existing and projected world sources of synchrotron radiation in terms of characteristics, and its creation is aimed at research in materials science, chemistry, and biomedicine. Other projects of the institute include the Main Temple of the Russian Armed Forces in Odintsovo District, the historical and archaeological park "Chersonesos Taurica" in Sevastopol, and the Taurida art park in Crimea.