Project timeline

The idea of developing a new light source with higher brilliance and coherence to replace Elettra originated in 2012. From the outset, the goal was to identify the optimal configuration that would maximize performance while maintaining the same machine circumference as Elettra.

In 2015, the groundwork was formalized with the publication of the White Paper, leading to approval by the Italian government in 2016. The following year, we prepared the Conceptual Design Report (CDR), while simultaneously organizing workshops and discussions with the user community to incorporate in the design changes to satisfy as many user requirements as  possible. Based on these discussions, it was later decided to ensure compatibility of the upgraded optics with the future use of transverse deflecting cavities (crab cavities), which will enable the generation of fully coherent 1 ps FWHM pulses. This capability is particularly beneficial for time-resolved experiments that require high repetition rates and moderate intensity.

After submitting the CDR, funding for the Elettra 2.0 project was initially awarded by the Italian Government in 2017, but finally confirmed only in 2019, officially marking the project's start. The new Elettra 2.0 source is scheduled to come into operation in August 2026 with open access to an initial set of 15 beamlines to commence in January 2027. The number of operating beamlines will gradually increase to the full complement of up to 32 beamlines in the following years. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2029.