Dedication and success through many years - always characterized by caring, experience, good judgement, vision, kindness and politeness - has now given Palle Jeppesen the Order of the Dannebrog.
Palle Jeppesen started his career more than 40 years ago with research and development in GaAs Gunn diodes and has – since 1970 worked at DTU. With his background in electromagnetic field theory, Palle was among the first to discover the possibilities in the optical fiber in combination with semiconductor lasers. He took the consequences and started a research group in this area. Work evolved quickly, creating first a Center for Broadband Telecommunication, which turned into COM and finally – in a general restructuring of DTU – into DTU Fotonik as we know it today.
The development within optical communication has moved at break-neck speed and it is characteristic for Palle Jeppesen, that he has always been good at choosing good projects. This has - from the beginning - given DTU a place at the forefront within this field.
Similarly, Palle Jeppesen has always held the attitude that research should be focussed on subjects that are realistic within the confines of available resources and also be potentially applicable in industry.
One consequence of this attitude was a sharp focus on well-equipped laboratory facilities and as a result, DTU Fotonik today possesses facilities of international format.
For his entire career, Palle Jeppesen has shown unique skills in motivating and supervising his colleagues. This, along with ever due care, has given near perfect conditions for the more than 80 PhD students that he has supervised. Countless councils, boards, committees, and businesses have enjoyed the benefit of Palle Jeppesen’s great expertise and judgement, and neither colleagues nor students have ever knocked in vain on his door for guidance, no matter how busy the day.
Knowledge, care, experience, good judgement, and vision in combination with kindness and politeness are all characteristic for this scientist. Palle Jeppesen comprises a truly strong combination of skills.
Ejner Nicolaisen