The Chart showing the timeline for the construction of the Synchrotron dates back to 2019. Things have changed since then and i believe the whole project has been accelerated with many articles claiming that up to 70% of certain equipment has already been installed.HEPS is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025; I don't see how it can be used to test SSMB in the near term
Could you be a little more specific on what's required? The schedule shows some components being installed in 2022, but the earliest commissioning happens in 2023. Furthermore, HEPS is a scientific instrument, it won't be used industrially for EUV lithography. HEPS might certainly be used to validate and test the SSMB phenomenon, and even to develop candidate EUV optics, but it won't be used to make chips. A dedicated synchrotron will have to be built, which I believe is what the Tsinghua project is. I believe that's what we should be keeping our eye on - it seems a much simpler device for the specific EUVL purpose, not a much more complex general-purpose experimental device.
This lends weight to my initial thoughts that SSMB is more for the 2030 timeframe (perhaps a bit earlier, 2027+ if things go well). Near term (around 2024-2025), I believe LPP is a more viable candidate. I believe China will at least have one generation of LPP EUV before it transitions to synchrotron light sources.
The HEP Synchrotron will certainly be used for SSMB Light Source Research as other Synchrotrons in China do not have the capability or are too old.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a specially made Laser to be used to manipulate electron bunches and shipped it Germany to be used at the PTB's Synchrotron also known as the Metrology Light Source which operates in Low Alpha Mode.
The CAS would certainly use this same laser at the HEP Synchrotron in Beijing for SSMB R&D.
This is why the first Prototype of the SSMB Light Source would be developed at the HEPS Synchrotron.
The Synchrotron would have 90 Beam Lines which could be leased out to interested parties for use.
Ultimately where they decide to develop the first dedicated SSMB Light Souce Facility remains unknown and depends on funding from companies like Huawei etc.
With LPP EUVL, there remains issues like boosting the Power of the CO2 Laser and also Patent issues with ASML.
China is certainly working on a LPP EUVL and i agree that there is a good chance it will come out in 2025.