ESRF scientist Alexandr Chumakov wins IBAME Science award

The IBAME Science Award is granted to researchers for a high-quality contribution to science based on research that involves application of the Mössbauer Effect over an extended period of at least 20 years.

As mentioned in the nomination letter, A. Chumakov has been a driving force behind Nuclear Inelastic Scattering (NIS) since its very first demonstrations, contributing to its theory, methodology, and data analysis. He also played a key role in the creation of the synchrotron Mössbauer source (SMS), now a cornerstone for research in geoscience and high-pressure physics. His pioneering work in high-resolution X-ray optics and groundbreaking studies on glass dynamics - including solving the long-debated “Boson peak” puzzle - have set global benchmarks and inspired new research directions. Besides his high scientific level, his dedication, and his success in methodology and instrumentation made this outstanding research possible.
 

A. Chumakov (right) accepting the award from Y. Garcia (left) at the 38th International Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (ICAME), and the International Conference on Hyperfine Interactions and Their Applications (HYPERFINE) 2025, held in Gdańsk, Poland. Photo: Ralf Röhlsberger.

At the ESRF, A. Chumakov has been instrumental in advancing Nuclear Resonance Scattering, leading to the design and commissioning of the new ID14 beamline. Under his guidance, ID14 brings together the synchrotron Mössbauer source with both time-domain and energy-domain techniques, and adds new tools for sub-micron focusing and ultra-high energy resolution. This combination enables micro-Mössbauer studies on tiny and heterogeneous samples, and allows researchers to probe hyperfine interactions and lattice dynamics under demanding conditions of pressure, temperature, and magnetic field with greater stability and sensitivity. These capabilities are already opening new avenues across materials science, geoscience, planetary science, and magnetism.

Beyond his scientific and technical achievements, A. Chumakov has played a major role in training and mentoring young scientists and engineers. He has supervised students and postdocs, shared hands-on expertise in nuclear resonance methods, and encouraged bold, high-risk ideas that often led to breakthroughs. He has also championed rigorous data practices and collaborative workflows, helping the community to adopt approaches that make results more robust and reusable.

The ESRF warmly congratulates A. Chumakov for this well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to synchrotron science.