Jens Bisplinghoff (1944 – 2026)

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19 August, 2026

The AMBER Collaboration is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear colleague Jens Bisplinghoff at the age of 81.

Jens devoted more than four decades to experimental nuclear and particle physics. He began his scientific career in nuclear physics, conducting research at the University of Bonn, the Nuclear Structure Research Laboratory in Rochester (USA) and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (USA). In the early 1990s, he turned his attention to hadronic and particle physics, working at COSY in Jülich and later at CERN. There, he became a founding member of the COMPASS Collaboration and helped shape the experiment from its earliest days.

Jens made significant contributions both to the development of the COMPASS detector and to its physics programme. He was responsible for the scintillating-fibre detectors, and his group built most of the detector stations that remain in operation at AMBER today. His expertise, practical ingenuity and deep understanding of experimental physics had a lasting impact on the experiment and continue to benefit the collaboration.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Jens was a greatly valued colleague known for his down-to-earth attitude, his clear commitment to experiment and detector development, and his friendly, straightforward personality. Jens approached detector problems, discussions about analyses and restaurant recommendations with the same insight, pragmatism and good humour. His knowledge of both the experimental and social sides of collaboration life meant his perspective was always trusted and appreciated. Outside the laboratory, Jens was a passionate sailor, a pursuit that he approached with the same enthusiasm and good humour that characterised his work.

For those who worked alongside him, Jens left a lasting impression. His impact can still be seen in the detectors he helped build, in the experiments he shaped and in the many colleagues whose careers and lives he influenced along the way. He will be remembered as an outstanding experimental physicist, a dear colleague and a good friend.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.