Synchrotron radiation as a versatile research tool has experienced an unprecedented expansion with the advent of several dedicated synchrotron radiation sources since about 1980. Today a large and continuously growing community of researchers representing a variety of disciplines depends on light sources as an essential part of their research programs. In order to meet the demands of cutting-edge research, increasingly advanced synchrotron radiation facilities have been constructed around the world. The number of such synchrotron radiation facilities now exceeds 75 with more than 20,000 users per year and with predicted strong continued growth in the future.

Iran is lagging in this important field, in particular a national facility which can provide the numerous academic institutes and industrial establishments in the country with the many benefits of accelerated particle beams is lacking. To improve upon this situation we face a big challenge. Fortunately, we have good reason to be hopeful and optimistic. Due to the large number of highly-qualified graduates, and also due to the present industrial capacity of the country, we are in a unique position to address this deficiency.