About Canadian Light Source Inc.

Canadian Light Source Inc. (CLSI) operates the Canadian Light Source, Canada’s national synchrotron research facility. Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, the CLS is a world-class, state-of-the-art facility that is advancing Canadian science, enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian industry and contributing to the quality of life of people around the world.

Built at an initial capital cost of $173-million, the synchrotron is one of the largest science projects in Canadian history and was the product of an unprecedented collaboration of federal, provincial and municipal governments and agencies, universities from across the country and industry.

The Canadian Light Source is committed to being a world-leading centre of excellence in synchrotron science and its applications by working with the scientific community to promote the use of synchrotron light, promoting industrial partnerships and innovation, and engaging in scientific and educational outreach.

CLSI employs more than 130 people including scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative personnel. The location of the CLS is advantageous for academic and industrial researchers, situated between the University of Saskatchewan’s main campus and Innovation Place, one of Canada’s leading high-tech industrial parks. The synchrotron is within walking distance of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the National Research Council of Canada’s Plant Biotechnology Institute (NRC-PBI) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO).

What’s a synchrotron?

A synchrotron is a source of brilliant light that enables scientists to study the microstructure and chemical properties of materials. Extremely bright synchrotron light is produced by using radio frequency waves and powerful magnets to accelerate electrons close to the speed of light. The light—spanning the spectrum from infrared light to high energy X-rays--is shone down beamlines to laboratory endstations where researchers select specific wavelengths of light to observe matter down to the atomic level.

Synchrotrons can be used to analyze a host of physical, chemical, geological and biological processes. Information obtained by researchers can be used to develop ways to help reduce greenhouse gases and clean up mining wastes, examine the structure of surfaces to develop more effective paints and motor oils, design new drugs, develop new materials for products ranging from solar panels to safer medical implants and build more powerful computer chips. New applications are being thought of all the time - synchrotron experiments are even helping with the search for other life in the universe.

A Unique Mission

The mission of the Canadian Light Source encourages excellence in both basic and applied science, with the mandate to grow the Canadian synchrotron research community and promote the use of synchrotron techniques to industry. Part of this mandate is a globally-unique focus on commercial partnerships with industry, with a target of 25 percent industrial usage.

Last modified: 2009-07-06 16:07:46