In 1983, the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory was established to construct China's first dedicated synchrotron radiation facility – the Hefei Light Source that is specialized on vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray sciences.

This facility supports advanced research in areas such as advanced functional materials, energy and environment, and interdisciplinary studies in materials and life sciences. It provides an advanced research platform for fundamental and applied sciences in China.

In 1989, the Hefei Light Source emitted its first beam of light.