Canadian Light Source starts

The Canadian Light Source is a new, third-generation, 2.9 GeV synchrotron radiation facility located on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The facility uses an existing 250 MeV electron linac to inject into a full- energy booster synchrotron. In turn, the booster fills a compact 12-cell storage ring, which has a circumference of 171 m. Approval to proceed with construction of the facility, including at least six beamlines, was received in 1999 March. The main experimental hall, which contains the booster, storage ring and beamlines, was completed in early 200. Installation and commissioning of the booster was completed in 2002. By late summer of 2003, installation of the storage ring was complete. Storage ring commissioning started in the fall of 2003, culminating in successfully storing beam for one injection cycle on 2003 November 18. Work continues on the commissioning of the storage ring, as well as the installation of the initial suite of seven beamlines. This paper provides an overview of the Canadian Light Source design, construction and initial commissioning, highlighting some of the notable events and achievements.