ALBA Synchrotron
We have said goodbye this morning to our dear colleague, who passed away last 13th December 2024 at the age of 58. Pep has been linked to the ALBA Synchrotron even before the project started in 1994. We will deeply miss him.
Josep Campmany i Guillot was born in 1966 in Gavà (Barcelona, Spain). He pursued his studies in Physics at the University of Barcelona, earning a PhD in Applied Physics in 1994.
He was one of the first few people that started to work on the ALBA project well before the project itself was even defined. When he finished his PhD, he was part of the starting group of young people that initiated the design of a Synchrotron Light Source for Spain, in Barcelona. Since then, he dedicated his whole professional career to ALBA.
Between 1996 and 1998, Pep played a pivotal role in coordinating the preparation of the technical design for the Spanish synchrotron facility. His initial and primary contribution have been to the Insertion Devices. But he has made many other important contributions for the project. He took over the responsibility to develop the Magnetic Measuring Laboratory, where not only the ALBA magnets, but also magnets from Canada Light Source and SESAME, and many other labs, have been measured.
From 2004 until late 2021, Pep was the Head of the Insertion Devices Section, in charge of the design, procurement, acceptance, and installation of all the insertion devices that remain integral to ALBA's operations today. His expertise and commitment were instrumental in shaping the scientific capabilities of the facility.
Apart from his scientific and technical contributions, Pep was well-known among the staff for improving the workers' conditions, becoming one of the founders of the Workers Committee, and did also serve as its President.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Pep was a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for ecology, politics, and local history. His intellectual curiosity and dedication extended into these fields, where he authored numerous books and articles, leaving an indelible mark on his community.
Pep's contributions to science, his colleagues, and the broader society will be remembered with respect and admiration. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.