Elucidation of the 3D structure of chikungunya virus surface proteins 
December 2, 2010
Researchers at the Pasteur Institute and the CNRS, in collaboration with the Synchrotron SOLEIL, have solved the three-dimensional structures of the glycoproteins that envelop the chikungunya virus. This discovery allows us to understand how this protein complex is activated in order to allow the virus to invade target cells. Activation is a key step in the viral life cycle, and its elucidation provides essential information for the development of antiviral strategies, for prevention and treatment.
SOLEIL Synchrotron is 10 years old
November 8, 2010
2000 when the synchrotron emerged out of the ground, its first users have benefited from the facilities available to them and some specialists even place SOLEIL at the top of the list of the best synchrotrons of its generation. Today, SOLEIL is still at an early stage in its scientific life but it is already providing results: 10 years, over 1,000 publications, almost 2,500 users per year, 5,000 visitors and... 1 book just published by Le Pommier.
The Smithsonian, the largest museum complex in the world, SOLEIL synchrotron and the CNRS have signed a co-operation accord in the presence of the French Research Minister, Madame Valérie Pécresse.
June 10, 2010
On the 10th June, at the Research Ministry, Eva Pell, Michel van der Rest and Alain Fuchs signed a Memorandum of Understanding between their institutions. This general framework for cooperation will cover three main areas:Joint research on ancient materials, developing French and American methodology for analyzing these materials and encourage the development of joint projects between the U.S.A and Europe by means of the IPANEMA research platform, which is being set up on the SOLEIL site to study ancient materials.
> Read the press release
> Web site of Smithsonian
> Web site of French Research Ministry
SOLEIL synchrotron embarks on the final pre-construction stage of the IPANEMA facility 
July 16, 2009
On 15 July, the SOLEIL synchrotron, in agreement with its Board of Directors – the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) –, approved the start of the last stage of studies leading to the construction of the IPANEMA building. This unique instrumental platform that is like no other in the world will facilitate access to synchrotron techniques for scientific communities working with “ancient materials”. The project will be officially launched during European Heritage Days in September 2009.
François Bonneau, Chairman of the Centre Region, will visit SOLEIL on 7th July for the inauguration of the DISCO Beamline
July 6, 2009
Very early in the project, the Centre region wanted to join SOLEIL’s main partners: the Ile de France region and the Essonne departmental council. Both parties signed a seven-year agreement in April 2003, making the Centre region one of SOLEIL’s special partners...
--> See the video of Téléssonne
A Franco-Japanese team demonstrates a new free-electron laser (FEL) concept experimentally
March 14, 2008
A Franco-Japanese team has succeeded in producing intense, coherent radiation in the extreme ultraviolet domain. This result validates the concept developed for the 'Arc-en-Ciel' project, a fourthgeneration light source thought of by the French synchrotron radiation teams.
SESAME and SOLEIL have signed a collaboration contract
October 23, 2007
The collaboration between the two synchrotron facilities was set up officially at SOLEIL on 23 October 2007 by Prof. Khaled Toukan (Director of SESAME) and Prof. Michel van der Rest (Director of SOLEIL).
Scientific theater, Time travel, Visit in the Synchrotron… Come all in SOLEIL on Sunday, October 7th, 2007
September 18, 2007
For the starting up of the “fête de la science”, SOLEIL invites you Exceptionally on Sunday, October 7th to visit the Synchrotron.
This year, you will reproduce with us the Geissler historic experiment for a very electric journey, you will meet Jack, the free electron during a play funny and enlivened for every public and you will discover many other surprises!
Severe defects delay the opening of the SOLEIL beamlines to users
July 11, 2007
Because of severe defects in the water cooling network supplying the beamlines, SOLEIL will be unable to open its experimental stations to external users as planned.
From CNAM reserves to the SOLEIL synchrotron: a century of X-rays (2)
February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007 marked the inauguration of the “History of X-rays” exhibition conducted in partnership with the Museum of Arts and Crafts (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts) and SOLEIL in the presence of Daniel Thoulouze, Museum Director, and Denis Raoux, Director-General of SOLEIL. The day was characterized by conviviality and openness. Objects from the museum’s collection were exhibited, as well as scientific experiments and a science café followed by a visit to the synchrotron. What is the fascinating history of the discovery of X-rays and the experiments that preceded their discovery and led to the development of the SOLEIL synchrotron, the new source par excellence of X-rays inaugurated last December.
From CNAM reserves to the SOLEIL synchrotron: a century of X-rays (1)
February 15, 2007
Through March 31, 2007, an exhibition created in partnership with the Museum of Arts and Crafts (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts in Paris) will be offered to the public during visits to SOLEIL. Historic objects from the museum’s collection, signs, a historic frieze, and astonishing experiments retrace the history of X-rays sources from the great steps that preceded their discovery by Roentgen in 1895, through their applications at the beginning of the previous century, such as radiography, and finally to SOLEIL, a source par excellence of X-rays.
Nomination of new Director-General of SOLEIL synchrotron
January 31, 2007
The Board of Directors of the public company SOLEIL SYNCHROTRON has named Mr. Michel van der Rest to the position of Director-General.
Inauguration of the SOLEIL synchrotron by M. Jacques Chirac, President of France
December 18, 2006
The President of the Republic of France inaugurated the SOLEIL synchrotron, installed on a 30-hectare site in the commune of Saint-Aubin in the state of Essonne, on the plateau of Saclay, on the morning of Monday, December 18, 2006.
First experimental results obtained at SOLEIL
Octobre 12, 2006
Less than a month after the opening of the first portion of DiffAbs, one of the 24 SOLEIL beamlines, the first experimental results were obtained from the synchrotron radiation on October 11 by the beamline team.
Entente cordiale is alive and well in the world of science
June 30, 2006
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today by the Heads of Britain and France’s next generation science facilities, the synchrotrons at Diamond Light Source and SOLEIL, in the presence of HM Ambassador, Sir John Holmes. The MoU will enable Diamond and SOLEIL to combine expertise to accomplish significant scientific goals. It formalises existing joint endeavours and paves the way for important new collaborations of significant benefit to the scientific communities in both countries.
Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Ile de France region, visits SOLEIL
June 29, 2006
The Ile de France region is the main territorial partner of SOLEIL. It contributes 148.6 million euros to SOLEIL out of a total budget for 2002-2009 of 386 million euros. Having worked alongside SOLEIL for several years, first in the making of the decision to build this French synchrotron on French soil, and since 2000 to ensure the best conditions for its construction, the Ile de France region is also very supportive of SOLEIL within the local industrial fabric and within the population.
The synchrotron SOLEIL machine has started operation
May 15, 2006
SOLEIL has accelerated and injected electrons for the first time in its storage ring on May 14, 2006 at 2:00 am. These first tests went off very well and we were able to observe the first photons produced by the radiation of these 2.75 GeV electrons. Tests and adjustments of the accelerators parameters will go on until summer, during which X-rays will be dispatched on the first beamline. A few months from now, SOLEIL, the new French synchrotron radiation source, will open its doors and greet more than 2000 users a year : chemists, physicists, biologists, environmental or nanomaterial specialists, geo- or astro-physicists or even museum curators will meet around SOLEIL and its light with exceptional characteristics.
First SOLEIL users meeting
January 18, 2006
A numerous public, impatient to visit SOLEIL—before coming to work there!—attended the first users meeting, organized before the opening of the synchrotron—on January 18 and 19, 2006. This users meeting was an opportunity to inform the 319 participants of the progress of SOLEIL’s programs, as well as to form a users’ representative committee.
On the trail of the origins of life
July 24, 2005
A French-German team led by researchers from the University of Nice Sophia Antiopolis, LURE/CEA/SOLEIL at Orsay/Saclay/St. Aubin, and the Center of Molecular Biophysics at Orleans have searched for the origins of homochirality in the same astrophysical conditions that were present at the time of formation and deposit on earth of the building blocks of life.
Construction begins on the SOLEIL site
April 24, 2003
After obtaining a construction permit on November 2002, SOLEIL prepares to start work on the site. It is a respite period useful for the archaeologists who have worked so hard to recover several Gallo-Roman historical artifacts on the site. But now the bulldozers move in, and this autumn it will be the drills, which will terrace the site and then begin laying the foundations for the synchrotron itself.
Adoption of a projected Centre Region/SOLEIL agreement
June 27, 2002
The Centre Region, wishing to develop a structured partnership with SOLEIL, has joined the Ile de France Region, the Department of Essonne, the CNRS, the CEA, and the State, which are already deeply involved in the construction of this very important research facility.
Signing of the Ile de France Region/Department of Essonne/the State/SOLEIL agreement
Febrary 5, 2002
The Agreement pertaining to the financial participation of territorial collectives in defraying the construction costs of the SOLEIL synchrotron is hereby signed today, February 5, Roger-Gérard Schwartzenberg, Minister of Research; Jean-Pierre Duport, Prefect of the Ile-de-France Region, Prefect of Paris, Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Ile-de-France Regional Council; Denis Prieur, Prefect of Essonne, Michel Berson, President of the Essonne General Council; Geneviève Berger, Director General of the CNRS; and Pascal Colombani, Administrator General of the CEA.
Birth of the SOLEIL synchrotron public company
October 16, 2001
The statutes of the SOLEIL synchrotron public company were signed on October 16, 2001 by the Director General of the CNRS and the Administrator General of the CEA; the company is registered with the clerk of the Business Court of Evry, Essonne.
