It is with great sadness that we inform that Alexei Zakharov, beamline scientist at the MAXPEEM beamline, passed away on 10 July 2025. Alex was an excellent scientist, enthusiastic researcher, great colleague and friend. Internationally renowned, Alex personified PEEM at the MAX IV Laboratory, both for the staff and for our users.
After studying physics at the National Research University of Electronic Technology in Moscow, Alex Zakharov completed his PhD at the Institute of Atomic Energy, likewise in Moscow. After his PhD he continued working there, between 1988 and 1995, as a scientist with focus on high temperature superconductivity. Alex visited MAX-lab very soon after the Fall of the Wall in 1989, and it was to Lund he came in 1996. After a period as postdoctoral researcher, first at the Department of Physics and later at MAX-lab, he accepted a researcher position at MAX-lab in 2001. From 2006, he was employed as a beamline scientist.
Alex played a truly essential role for the introduction and development of spectroscopic photoemission and low-energy electron microscopy at MAX-lab and later MAX IV, where, from 2018, he was responsible for integrating the state-of-the-art aberration-corrected SPELEEM instrument into a new beamline, MAXPEEM. To a very large extent, Alex is the person to thank for that, today, MAX IV is a global leader in the application of PEEM to the study of surfaces. Under his guidance, the MAX-lab/MAX IV SPELEEM instrument has consistently delivered high-profile results and has contributed to more than 200 papers in refereed journals and over 60 conference presentations. These activities have made him internationally renowned in the field of photoelectron microscopy.
Alex was a multifaceted person, with many interests beyond science. He was an active sportsman and a keen chess player, as which he brought home medals from the Atomiade, the Olympic games for European research institutes. His colleagues will remember him for his scientific achievements, for his enthusiasm for science and beyond, and for being a good friend:
“Alex was more than a colleague — he was a mentor and a friend, always full of energy and deeply devoted to his work at MAX IV. I’ll never forget our last conversation before summer break, not knowing it would be our final farewell. He’ll be remembered not just for his scientific achievements, but for his kindness, generosity, and the way he inspired those around him.” – Yuran Niu, Beamline Scientist MAXPEEM
“Alex was a scientist with deep knowledge and remarkable dedication. He was a helpful colleague and a good friend when it mattered most. We navigated all the ups and downs of working at the beamline while having a great time together thanks to his distinctive sense of humor. He was a genuinely kind guy, and I will miss him.” – Evangelos Golias, Beamline Scientist MAXPEEM
“I was amazed by his enthusiasm for a wide range of science topics. His own strength lay in graphene and 2D materials, but his face would equally light up if he could get good results with industrial samples or, recently, biomedical samples. Science was his ‘core business’ and his passion for it was infectious. His patience in teaching was also remarkable – if you showed a willingness to learn, he would give you all his time to do it, even if it was slow going.” – Karina Thånell, former group manager of Alex
“I will always remember his constant smile, his slight impatience with unproductive talk and his incessant curiosity and drive for research.” – Dina Carbone, present group manager of Alex
“Alex was a person whom one could ask to do something, and it wouldn’t only be done, but it’d be done in a much better way than anybody could expect.” – Jesper Andersen, previously Science Director
”Alex had a great clarity of mind, he was always constructive, and his advice was extremely valuable and always good to hear.” – Joachim Schnadt, Science Director
“When I met Alexei back at MAX-lab, I was struck by his sincerity and dedication, an impression that stayed throughout the years. I will also remember his consistently positive attitude and the smile he brought to work, hallmarks of his personality.” – Olof Charlie Karis, Director
“I admired Alex for his critical thinking, which made him an excellent critic of his own and others work. Always aspired to do high quality work both to enable others in their research as well as his own. Most importantly, I will deeply miss him as a friend, scientist and in the badminton court.” – Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Beamline Scientist Bloch
“Alex was not only a brilliant scientist, widely respected for his great work in photoelectron microscopy and his role in bringing full-field XPEEM/LEEM to MAX-lab and MAX IV, but also a truly remarkable person. Cheerful, warm, and always full of energy, he had an ability to bring people together. He loved a good discussion, whether about science or life, and stood firmly by his convictions. His closeness to his family, his enthusiasm, and his optimism were inspiring to all who knew him.” – Alexei Preobrajenski, Beamline Scientist FlexPES
We’re going to dearly miss Alex, who, in his friendly, competent and constructive manner, contributed so much to MAX IV and its predecessor MAX-lab.
Our thoughts go to Alex’ wife Tatiana, his children Nadja and Kirill, family and friends.
