When atoms lose electrons to become ions, accelerators can use electric and magnetic fields to push them faster and faster, until they race around a ring at nearly light speed. Then these ions smash into targets, recreating supernova explosions or Big Bang conditions to help scientists uncover the secrets of matter.

That is the core function of China's HIAF — the High Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility. Located in southern China, it produces the world’s highest pulsed heavy-ion beams and houses the most precise nuclear mass spectrometer on the planet.

As China's latest mega science facility, HIAF has completed construction and cleared its technical acceptance review on Tuesday. The facility is now commencing trial operations. CGTN's Liu Jiaxin joins scientists on site to see what this “super microscope” means for physics, medicine, and beyond.