As one kind of large-scale scientific facilities, particle accelerators play a vital role in the progress of global science and technology. Synchrotron radiation light sources driven by storage ring accelerators, have already undergone four generations of development. They are playing an increasingly significant role in both basic scientific research and applied science fields. This article briefly reviews the generational evolution of particle accelerators and synchrotron radiation light sources. It offers a detailed description of the technological features of the fourth-generation synchrotron radiation light sources based on diffraction-limited storage rings, such as compact multi-bend achromat (MBA) design, synergistic breakthroughs in small-aperture magnet and advanced vacuum coating technologies. Following a birdview of global advancements in fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facilities, the latest progress of the High Energy Photon Source is reported in detail. Moreover, it makes a preliminary exploration into the potential directions of the future development of accelerator-based light sources, including breakthrough in beam emittance limit, AI-driven real-time beam control, integration of storage ring light source with free-electron laser principles.

particle accelerator  /  large-scale scientific facility  /  synchrotron radiation light source  /  diffraction-limited storage ring