The MAX IV 1.5 GeV storage ring is based on a compact double-bend achromat lattice for the production of bright soft x-ray and UV radiation. The storage ring is a redesigned and improved version of the decommissioned MAX II storage ring. The MAX IV 1.5 GeV storage ring has a circumference of 96 m, comprises 12 achromats (2 more than MAX II) of which 10 provide roughly 3.5 m straight sections for insertion devices (IDs). The compactness of the lattice is achieved by using the same magnet technology as in the 3 GeV storage ring where many smaller magnets are machined from common iron yokes. In addition, most magnets are combined-function type, i.e. the dipoles contain a vertically-focusing gradient and the horizontally-focusing quadrupoles contain a sextupole gradient.
| Circumference | 96 m |
| No. of long straight sections / no. of available ID straights | 12 / 10 |
| Injection | Full-energy top-up from MAX IV Linac |
| Nominal current | 500 mA |
| Horizontal emittance | 6 nm rad |
| Vertical emittance | 60 pm rad (can be adjusted based on user demand) |
| Typical horizontal beam size at ID center | 185 micron |
| Typical horizontal beam divergence at ID center | 32 urad |
| Typical vertical beam size at ID center | ~13 micron |
| Typical vertical beam divergence at ID center | ~4.6 urad |