Thorsten Schmitt

Thorsten Schmitt is a Research Professor and Group Leader of the Spectroscopy of Quantum Materials / ADRESS, SIS Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute's Photon Science Division. He holds a PhD in Physics from Uppsala University and a Dipl. Phys. (MSc equivalent) from Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz. His research focuses on correlated-electron materials, superconductivity, and RIXS spectroscopy. He leads a team of ~20 scientists and manages two synchrotron beamlines (SIS and ADRESS) at the Swiss Light Source.

• Education: PhD in Physics (Uppsala University), Dipl. Phys. (Mainz University)

Scientific interests include quantum materials, magnetism, and ultrafast dynamics. He discovered spin-orbit separation in Sr₂CuO₃ and demonstrated RIXS's potential for studying ultrafast phenomena. His work bridges theory and experiment, with contributions to nickelates, iridates, and quantum confinement effects in thin films.

Awards: Silver Medal of the Ångström Premium for outstanding PhD thesis.

Leadership roles include editorial board member of Journal of Electron Spectroscopy, beamline scientist for ADRESS RIXS projects, and PSI sustainability initiatives. His labs focus on advanced X-ray spectroscopy techniques and correlated electron systems.