Bernd Schmitt

Bernd Schmitt is a senior research scientist and Group Leader of the Detector Engineering group within the Photon Science Division at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland. He leads a team of approximately 20 members, including engineers, technicians, PhD students, and postdocs, focusing on advanced detector development for synchrotron and free-electron laser facilities such as SLS and SwissFEL.

His research interests lie in sensor physics for low and high energies, the development of novel detector concepts, and the exploitation of charge-sharing effects to enhance spatial resolution. His work bridges fundamental detector physics with practical applications in X-ray science and structural biology.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on next-generation pixel detectors like JUNGFRAU, MÖNCH, and adaptive gain systems, primarily applied in high-rate, high-resolution X-ray imaging environments such as European XFEL and synchrotron beamlines. These efforts support advancements in macromolecular crystallography, serial crystallography, and energy-resolved photon science.

Bernd Schmitt has been recognized through patents and active participation in advisory and review panels at PSI and beyond. He plays a key role in shaping detector strategy and evaluating scientific personnel.

He mentors students and early-career researchers as part of his group leadership. The Detector Engineering group is central to instrumentation development at PSI, contributing to national and international photon science infrastructure. The team collaborates extensively with experimental end-users and industrial partners.