The city of Krakow is currently experiencing the growth of a new synchrotron radiation facility. The facility, under way since 2010, is being constructed in the campus of one of the oldest Universities in the world, the Jagellonian University of Krakow (established 1364) and is regarded as the little brother of MAX IV now under construction in Lund, Sweden.

Why a little brother to MAX IV in Poland? We met the Director of Solaris, Prof. Marek Stankiewicz, who explained the expected benefits this little brother will bring to Poland and neighboring countries.

- The establishment of a Polish National Synchrotron Radiation facility will provide many benefits, being a multidisciplinary, multi-user facility it brings new opportunities to fundamental science, research on new materials, advanced technologies, health and the environment. The existence of such facility in Poland, will definitely influence the image and efficiency of Polish science positively, boost studies of Technical sciences, and in a longer term contribute to the modernization of industry.

How so?
- Over 300 researchers in more than 30 research and educational institutions are already involved in synchrotron radiation based research but use facilities abroad, Solaris provides proximity access and will no doubt facilitate usage - speeding up output, results and intensifying knowledge transfer within the scientific community in Poland. Moreover, collaborations with neighboring countries are planned, including common initiatives regarding construction of experimental beamlines relevant to the research expertise of the partners.

Which are the main challenges with the project?
- There is a spectrum of challenges that have to be tackled. One group of challenges is of administrative nature, like following the EU funds regulations, which are not well matched with the specific research, infrastructure needs. Other challenges are connected with the infrastructure; the purpose designed and built equipment and the installation and integration of it.

The sharing of ideas for better synergies

The agreement for Solaris, signed in 2010 between the Jagiellonian University and Lund University Sweden, was for mutual cooperation and sharing of ideas and designs related to the construction of the facilities.

The MAX-IV team has developed unique solutions in the technology of the storage rings that will be implemented in MAX IV project and also made available for the Solaris project. The cooperation between MAX-Laboratory (Lund University) and Solaris (Jagiellonian University) is a concrete example of efforts being made to increase and stimulate research cooperation between European Countries, in the Baltic Sea Region.

Facts about Solaris

• Solaris is a linac filled, 96 circumference, 1.5 GeV storage ring
• Solaris will be a replica  of the 1.5 GeV ring of MAX IV except some major differences as the infrastructures, the lower energy linac and the beamlines
• Budget of 40 M€ covers construction of the building, linac, storage ring and one experimental beamline
• The state owned facility project is financed by  European Union Regional Development Structural Funds
• The project is being done in close co-operation with MAX-Laboratory, Lund Sweden
• Construction period: 2010 - 2014

For more information visit Solaris' web site

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