Türkiye’s first material irradiation experiment at the Turkish Accelerator and Radiation Laboratory, known as TARLA, has been completed at Ankara University’s Gölbaşı campus. According to a Higher Education Council statement reported on October 20, 2026, the experiment itself was conducted in May 2026. Glass and plexiglass samples were exposed to gamma rays generated from accelerated electrons. Initial observations showed a change in the color of the glass, while the plexiglass displayed structural changes and fractures.
The significance of the experiment goes beyond testing two sample materials. It shows that accelerator infrastructure developed in Türkiye can be used to study how materials behave when exposed to high-energy radiation. Researchers now have a domestic facility capable of examining radiation resistance and physical changes under controlled laboratory conditions, an important step for fields that depend on durable materials and reliable components.
How the experiment worked
TARLA’s system first accelerates electrons to high energy. Gamma rays are then produced from those electrons and directed at the test samples. After the glass and plexiglass were irradiated, researchers examined the resulting changes. Officials said the observed effects were consistent with their expectations. TARLA Director Dr. Özlem Karslı said the first material samples had been irradiated using the system built at the facility and that the expected results were obtained.
The public announcement did not include detailed radiation doses, full sample specifications or a peer-reviewed paper. The result should therefore be understood as an initial demonstration of the facility’s technical capability rather than a complete assessment of long-term material performance. Further measurements and published data would be needed before drawing conclusions about the suitability of any material for a specific commercial, medical or defense product.
TARLA’s accelerator infrastructure
Official information from Ankara University’s Institute of Accelerator Technologies describes TARLA as a research facility that combines a normal-conducting injector, two superconducting accelerator modules and optical resonators. Its electron beam can also be used to produce high-energy photons through the Bremsstrahlung process. According to TARLA’s official history, injector tests were completed in March 2024 and the electron beam was accelerated to 18.3 MeV in April 2024.
The facility was designed for more than a single experiment. TARLA aims to build national research capacity in accelerator technologies, strengthen domestic technical expertise and provide an experimental platform for researchers from different disciplines. The first irradiation trial follows years of installation, helium cooling, radio-frequency conditioning and beam tests. It is a practical indication that the infrastructure can now support material research.
Potential research areas
Officials say research on radiation-resistant materials may contribute to satellite and space systems, defense applications, medical technologies and product durability. Components used in space can face intense radiation, making pre-deployment material testing especially important. Electronic parts, protective coatings, glass and different polymers could be examined to determine how their properties change after exposure.
Preliminary research on isotopes that may be useful in medical imaging and cancer treatment has also been cited as a possible future area for the facility. These are research opportunities, not completed products or clinical outcomes. The first experiment should be viewed as a capability milestone: Türkiye has demonstrated that it can perform controlled material irradiation studies using its own accelerator infrastructure.
The next phase will depend on repeatable experiments, transparent technical data and collaboration with universities and applied research institutions. If those steps follow, TARLA could become a shared national platform for testing materials before they are considered for demanding environments. For now, the May experiment establishes a clear starting point and verifies that the laboratory’s accelerator system can be used for practical irradiation work.
