The Danish physicist Robert Feidenhans’l has spent almost his entire career working in the field of X-ray synchrotron radiation and free-electron lasers and is regarded as a pioneer in the use of X-rays from synchrotron radiation facilities. He is a co-founder of surface crystallography and was the first person to succeed in precisely determining surface structures experimentally. Feidenhans’l is an outstanding researcher who always regarded science as a means of promoting international understanding and collaboration.
His research includes nanophysics, in particular research into nanowires and the development of X-ray techniques for analysing materials. He was also instrumental in the development of X-ray imaging methods for the three-dimensional characterisation of materials and biological tissue, and was involved in high-resolution micro X-ray tomography in medicine, for example to investigate the interaction between bones and implants.
Between 2017 and 2023, Feidenhans’l was Chairman of the Management Board of the European X-ray laser and responsible for the transition from construction into full user operation. The international research facility in Schenefeld near Hamburg is one of the most powerful X-ray lasers in the world.
During his career, he has held numerous positions in science management. For example, he was Chairman of the Danish National Committee for Crystallography (1998-2007), Chairman of the Council of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) (2006-2010), Chairmen of the European XFEL Council (2010-2014), Member of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (ATV) (since 2015), Chairman of the Board of MAX IV (since January 2023), member of the Board of Trustees of the Joachim Herz Foundation (since January 2023) and Member of the Scientific Advisory Board at the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, USA (since 2024).
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Image: The German Röntgen Museum honours Robert for his work on X-ray imaging methods.
Credit: European XFEL