Your experiment-——Before You Arrive
Pre-Arrival Checklist
Before checking in, please ensure you have completed the following preparations:
Confirm you are a registered user of the CAS Large-Scale Research Infrastructure Shared Service Platform (http://lssf.cas.cn/). If not, please register on the website.
Confirm you have completed the Hefei Light Source User Safety Training on the platform and passed the exam (a perfect score of 100 is required to pass).
Ensure the Principal Investigator of the user project has added you to the list of participants for the experiment. If not, please ask the PI to log in and add you via the My Experiments section.
Air Travel
Upon arriving at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, visitors can reach the Hefei Light Source facility either by taxi or via public transportation. There are two public transport options：
Option 1: Airport Bus Line 1 + Bus 136
Total travel time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Estimated cost: 27 RMB
1) From Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, take Airport Bus Line 1 (toward Hefei Passenger Transport Terminal) and disembark at Daoxianglou North Gate Station.
2) Walk 240 meters to the Anhui Agricultural University Bus Stop, then take Bus 136 (toward West Railway Station) and get off at Taihu Road West Station.
3) Walk 218 meters to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Option 2: Airport Bus Line 4 + Bus 108
Total Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes
Estimated Cost: 27 RMB
1）At Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, take Airport Bus Line 4 (bound for Swan Lake Hotel) and disembark at Shilimiao Station.
2）Walk 383 meters to the Shilimiao Bus Stop. From there, take Bus 108 (bound for Hefei South Station) and get off at Hefei Science and Technology Museum Station.
3）Walk 1.1 kilometers to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Rail Travel（Hefei South Railway Station）
Upon arrival at Hefei South Railway Station, you can reach the Hefei Light Source facility by taxi or public transportation. Four public transport options are available:
Option 1: Public Bus 16
Total travel time: Approximately 43 minutes
Estimated cost: 2 RMB
1) At Hefei South Station, take Bus 16 (bound for Wanglong School) and disembark at Taihu Road (West) Station.
2) Walk 135 meters to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Option 2: Bus 108
Total Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour
Estimated Cost: 2 RMB
1) At Hefei South Station, take Bus 108 (bound for Botanical Garden) and disembark at Daoxiangcun Station.
2) Walk 939 meters to the laboratory’s West Gate of the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory to enter the experimental area.
Alternatively, transfer at Daoxiangcun Station to Bus 149 (toward ADA New Campus) and alight at Taihu Road (West) Station, then walk 218 meters to the destination.
Option 3: Metro Line 1 + Bus 111
Total Travel Time: Approximately 57 minutes
Estimated Cost: 4 RMB
1) At Hefei South Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 (bound for Hefei Railway Station) and get off at Zhugang Station. Exit the station via Exit D.
2) Walk 443 meters to the Hejiafu Shopping Square Bus Stop. From there, take Bus 111 (bound for West Railway Station) and disembark at Zhouchengchang Station.
3) Walk 682 meters to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Rail Travel（Hefei Railway Station）
Upon arrival at Hefei Railway Station, you can reach the Hefei Light Source facility by taxi or public transportation. Four public transport options are available, each taking about one hour at a flat fare of 2 RMB.
Option 1: Bus 12
1）Walk 869 meters from Hefei Railway Station to Shengli Square Bus Stop.
2）Take Bus 12 (toward Shiwulihe) and disembark at Shiwulihe Station.
3）Walk 215 meters to to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Option 2: Bus 111
1) Walk 300 meters from the station to Hefei Railway Station Bus Stop.
2）Take Bus 111 (toward West Railway Station) and get off at Zhouchengchang Station.
3）Walk 682 meters to the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Option 3: Bus 119
1) Walk 300 meters to Hefei Railway Station Bus Stop.
2) Take Bus 119 (toward Provincial Electrical School) and alight at Daoxiangcun Station.
3) Walk 940 meters to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Option 3: Bus 1
1) Walk 300 meters from the railway station to Hefei Railway Station Bus Stop.
2) Take Bus Line 1 (bound for South Bus Transfer Center) and alight at USTC East Campus (BRT) Station.
3) Walk 694 meters to reach the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory.
Your Experiment——During Your Experiment
Check-in Procedure
Upon arrival at the experimental area, please complete the check-in process at our user terminal:
Swipe your ID card or manually enter your ID/passport number → Confirm.
Collect your access card, radiation dosimeter badge, and meal vouchers.
Retrieve a cardholder from the side of the terminal and insert your access card.
Once checked in, you may enter the experimental area to begin work.
Check-out Procedure
After your experiment, please follow the instructions on the terminal:
Return the access card and dosimeter badge.
Select and confirm your user feedback.
Return the cardholder to its original place.
You have completed all required procedures for this experiment.
Your Experiment——After You Leave
After you leave the Hefei Light Source, please log in to the CAS Platform (http://lssf.cas.cn) and complete the following tasks:
Submit Experiment Feedback
Please provide some suggestions on any issues encountered during your experiment to help us optimize the user experience for future users.
Submit the Project Completion Report
Complete and submit the final report for your research project.
Submit Research Outputs
Submit details of any publications, patents, awards, and other honors resulting from the use of the Hefei Light Source.
Your Experiment——Frequently Asked Questions
About Project Application
Q: How can I obtain beamtime at the Hefei Light Source?
A: First, register as a user on the CAS Major Science and Technology Infrastructure Shared Platform (http://lssf.cas.cn). Then, select the Hefei Light Source facility and submit a project application as prompted. Once approved, beamtime will be granted.
Q: Can students apply for projects?
A: No, only staff members are eligible to apply.
Q: Is there a fee for beamtime?
A: Fees are only charged for commercial purposes where results are not publicly disclosed. All other uses are free of charge.
Q: How long is the beamtime valid?
A: Two years.
Q: When is the project application period?
A: Applications are accepted year-round. It is recommended to submit applications in the first ten days of each quarter or after receiving a call for proposals.
Q: Where should the signature and seal be placed on the hard copy of the project application?
A: They can be placed on the cover page or in a blank space on the first page.
About Experiments
Q: How can I schedule an experiment after the project is approved?
A: Please submit your beamtime request and preferred dates through the online system.
Q: Will beamline staff be available to assist during experiments?
A: Yes. Professional staff will be available to provide guidance and support.
Q: Are users required to conduct the experiments themselves?
A: Yes, users are expected to operate the equipment. For specialized or complex experiments, beamline operation staff will provide assistance as needed.
Q: Should samples be prepared in advance?
A: Yes, all samples must be prepared prior to your scheduled experiment.
Q: Do I need to register in advance to enter the experimental facility?
A: No. Personnel listed on the approved experiment can enter directly by scanning the QR code at the facility entrance.
Q: How do I check in before my experiment and collect necessary equipment? How do I return items after the experiment?
A: Please use the user terminal in the storage ring hall and follow the system instructions for both check-in/equipment collection and return procedures.
Q: What should I do if I hear an alarm in the experimental hall?
A: Immediately close the beamline valve following standard operating procedures and evacuate the experimental area promptly.
Other Questions
Q: Are there any recommended options for meals and accommodation during the experiment?
A: For meals, the Hefei Light Source provides meal vouchers for up to three people at the USTC staff canteen. For accommodation, you may stay at the on-campus guesthouse or partner hotels near the laboratory.
Q: Can I eat or drink in the experiment area?
A: No. Please use the designated common areas for all food and drinks.
Q: Are emergency first-aid kits available for users?
A: Yes. Contact us if you need.
Q: What training is required before conducting experiments?
A: Radiation safety and protection training, as well as relevant beamline operation training.
Q: How long is the safety training certificate valid?
A: Six months.
Q: What should I do if the terminal system shows that I failed the safety exam?
A: Retake the exam and submit it again.