Solaris

The SOLARIS Synchrotron is the only synchrotron in Central and Eastern Europe, built in Kraków in 2015 by the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre, which belongs to the Jagiellonian University. It enables advanced research in fields such as biology, physics, chemistry, and medicine by generating electromagnetic radiation ranging from infrared to X-rays. The synchrotron building, located on the 600th Anniversary Campus of the Jagiellonian University Revival, features distinctive architecture, with a research hall covering an area of 3,000 m² and situated 3.2 m below ground level. The name "SOLARIS" is a reference to the novel by Stanisław Lem, who was associated with Kraków, highlighting the cultural significance of this place for science and technology. The project's history dates back to 1998, when professors from the Institute of Physics at the Jagiellonian University began work on its implementation, which led to the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Science in 2010 and the completion of construction in 2014. SOLARIS utilizes modern technologies, drawing inspiration from the Swedish MAX-Lab laboratory, showcasing international collaboration in science. The synchrotron currently offers five operational research lines, with more under construction, and its availability for scientists conducting non-commercial research underscores its openness to innovation. An interesting aspect of SOLARIS's activities is the National Cryo-Electron Microscopy Centre, established in 2019, which has revolutionized research in structural biology through the use of cutting-edge technologies.