Speaker
Description
European XFEL is a photon source delivering highly coherent and extremely
short X-ray pulses at megahertz repetition rate. Drawing on lessons learned
during the first six years of operation, in particular the challenge of huge data
volumes, and on insights from participation in FAIR[1] scientific data manage-
ment initiatives, the Scientific Data Policy (SDP)[2] has been revised. In this
work, we present the key features of the SDP, which applies to proposals sub-
mitted from 2025 onward.
Among the newly introduced SDP features are: (I) a data retention and cu-
ration concept based on expanded data category definitions, establishing work-
flows of mandatory data reduction[3] and enabling the provision of open data
collections; (II) the definition of supported data file formats to foster interop-
erability; (III) recommendations for the adoption of FAIR principles along the
data lifecycle, such as proper annotation with metadata; and (IV) data manage-
ment plans (DMPs) as a practical mechanism to accommodate these aspects.
DMPs are part of operational practice since 2025. They follow a pragmatic,
proposal-specific approach focusing on requirements and arrangements around
the different stages of the data lifecycle, starting with resource management
and user support for beamtimes. DMPs cover workflows for both discussion
and documentation of agreements. The data management platform myMdC
integrates administrative DMP information as well as dynamically adaptable
DMP content.
References
1. M. D. Wilkinson et al. (2016). The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific
data management and stewardship. DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2016.18
2. European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility GmbH (2023). Scientific
Data Policy of the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility GmbH
(Version 2). DOI: 10.22003/XFEL.EU-TR-2025-001
3. E. Sobolev et al. (2024). Data reduction activities at European XFEL:
early results. Front. Phys. 12, DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2024.1331329
