Professor Brian Foster (Experimental Physics at University of Oxford) explores the early years of Don Perkins in particle physics, his pion discovery, and his lasting impact on the field and cancer therapy.
The early years: Bristol, Emulsions, Pion discovery
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Professor Brian Foster covers the significant contributions of Don Perkins to particle physics, especially during his early years. He highlights Perkin's groundbreaking work on emulsions and the discovery of the pion, a subatomic particle integral to understanding the strong nuclear force. Perkins' journey is traced from his childhood interests in mechanics and radio to his academic pursuits at Imperial College and his influential PhD thesis. Professor Foster also touches upon the challenges and triumphs of early particle physics research, including the development of photographic emulsions to record nuclear particles and the use of cosmic rays and accelerators for experimentation. Perkins' role in proposing the use of pions in cancer therapy is also mentioned, showcasing his impact beyond the realm of physics. The narrative is enriched with personal anecdotes and reflections on the collaborative nature of scientific discovery, as well as the evolution of the field over time.
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More in this Series...
The seven talks in this event celebrate the life and work of Professor Donald ‘Don’ Perkins CBE FRS (1925 – 2022), who during his extensive and prolific career played a key role in the development of particle physics research since the 1940’s when the electron, proton and neutron were the only known fundamental particles to the discovery of the Higgs boson in the early 2000’s.
The videos will appeal to general public interested in particle physics and the history behind current...