Franz Pfeiffer (physicist)

Pfeiffer contributed to the extension of known imaging modalities such as Differential interference contrast microscopy and Dark-field microscopy to the X-ray regime. In 2006, he demonstrated the feasibility of phase sensitive X-ray imaging with conventional, polychromatic X-ray sources and a grating interferometer.^[1] This enlarged the potential of X-ray phase imaging for clinical use as before the technique was only possible at synchrotron facilities. Pfeiffer further introduced the extraction of a supplementary signal (so-called "dark-field signal") sensitive to porous microstructure of a sample based on X-ray scattering.^[2] His research group at the Technical University of Munich demonstrated a range of possible applications of the new modalities in medical and material research.

Further Pfeiffer is known for his research in X-ray Ptychography,^[3] X-ray tensor tomography,^[4][5] grating-based Neutron interferometric imaging^[6] and iterative CT reconstruction algorithms. He is author and co-author of more than 250^[7] scientific publications and inventor in several patents.

In 2011, he was awarded the Leibniz Prize for his achievements in X-ray physics.