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{{short description|British physicist (1925–2022)}}{{Infobox scientist
'''Donald Hill Perkins''' [[CBE]] [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] (born 1925) is a British [[physicist]] and an [[Emeritus Professor]] at the [[University of Oxford]]. He achieved great success in the field of [[particle physics]] and is also known for his books.
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| name = Don Perkins
| image = Donald Hill Perkins.jpg
| birth_name = Donald Hill Perkins
| birth_date = 15 October 1925
| birth_place = [[Kingston upon Hull]], England
| death_date = 30 October 2022
| death_place =
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}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
'''Donald Hill Perkins''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|FRS}} (15 October 1925 – 30 October 2022) was a British [[physicist]] and an [[emeritus professor]] at the [[University of Oxford]]. He achieved great success in the field of [[particle physics]] and was also known for his books.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-09 |title=Donald Hill Perkins 1925–2022 |url=https://cerncourier.com/a/donald-hill-perkins-1925-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=CERN Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Personal life and education ==
Perkins was born in 1925 to Gertrude and George Perkins, both school teachers. He was educated at [[Imperial College London]], and in 1945 he received his B.Sc. and in 1948, a Ph.D. He married Dorothy Maloney in 1955 and they had two daughters.<ref name=":0" />


== Career ==
Perkins was born in 1925 and educated at [[Imperial College London]]. In 1945 he received his B.Sc. and 1948, a Ph.D. From 1949 he worked at [[Bristol University]] and in 1955/56 at the [[Lawrence Radiation Laboratory]] in [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]]. In 1956 he received the post of reader in Bristol University. In 1963/64 he conducted research at [[CERN]]. In 1965 he became Oxford professor of [[elementary particle physics]]. There he built, along with [[Ken W. Allen]], the new Department of Nuclear Physics. In 1976/77 and 1983/84 he returned to CERN.
From 1949 he worked at [[Bristol University]] and in 1955/56 at the [[Lawrence Radiation Laboratory]] in [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]]. In 1956 he received the post of reader in Bristol University. In 1963/64 he conducted research at [[CERN]]. In 1965 he became Oxford professor of [[elementary particle physics]]. There, under the leadership of [[Denys Wilkinson]], he built, along with [[Ken W. Allen]], the new Department of Nuclear Physics. In 1976/77 and 1983/84 he returned to CERN on sabbatical leave.


In 1998 he retired and became Emeritus Fellow of [[St Catherine's College, Oxford|St Catherine's College]], Oxford.
In 1998 he retired and became Emeritus Fellow of [[St Catherine's College, Oxford|St Catherine's College]], Oxford.


==Achievements==
==Achievements==
Perkins' earliest achievements include the discovery of the negative [[pion]] in [[cosmic radiation]]. At Berkeley, he worked with accelerators on [[K-meson]]s and the [[annihilation]] of [[proton]]s and [[antiproton]]s, at CERN in [[neutrino]] scattering experiments.
Perkins' earliest achievements include the discovery of the negative [[pion]] in [[cosmic radiation]].<ref>"Marietta Blau, considered Perkins to have discovered the negative pion and Powell’s team to have discovered the positive pion." {{cite journal |author=C. L. Vieria, A. A. P Videira |year=2014 |title=Cesar Lattes, Nuclear Emulsions, and the Discovery of the Pi-meson |journal=Physics in Perspective |volume=16 |pages=2–36 |doi=10.1007/s00016-014-0128-6|s2cid=122718292 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | journal = Nature | volume = 159 | pages = 126–127 | year = 1947 | author = D. H. Perkins | title = Nuclear Disintegration by Meson Capture | issue = 4030 | doi = 10.1038/159126a0| pmid = 20281237 | s2cid = 4107188 }}</ref> At Berkeley, he worked with accelerators on [[K-meson]]s and the [[annihilation]] of [[proton]]s and [[antiproton]]s, at CERN in [[neutrino]] scattering experiments.


He made important pioneering discoveries in regard to the [[weak neutral current]] ([[Gargamelle|Gargamelle experiment]]) and the experimental verification of [[quantum chromodynamics]]. In 1982 he explored the possible [[proton decay]], and found a first indication of [[neutrino oscillations]].
Perkins made important pioneering discoveries in regard to the [[weak neutral current]] ([[Gargamelle|Gargamelle experiment]]) and the experimental verification of [[quantum chromodynamics]]. In 1982 he explored the possible [[proton decay]], and found a first indication of [[neutrino oscillations]].


Perkins together with [[Peter Fowler]] first suggested the use of pion beams as a cancer therapy in a ''Nature'' article in 1961.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fowler |first1=P. H. |last2=Perkins |first2=D. H. |title=The Possibility of Therapeutic Applications of Beams of Negative π-Mesons |journal=Nature |date=February 1961 |volume=189 |issue=4764 |pages=524–528 |doi=10.1038/189524a0 |pmid=13701079 |bibcode=1961Natur.189..524F |s2cid=4293830 }}</ref>
In the applied field, he worked on the design of the [[HERA]] storage ring at [[DESY]] in 1961 and worked on [[cancer therapy]] with pions.


Perkins in 1959 published his first textbook, together with [[C. F Powell]] and [[P. Fowler]], on the theme of the emulsion technique applied to cosmic rays, nuclear, and particle physics. His ''Introduction to High Energy Physics'' is a global standard work on particle physics. Most recently he published in 2003 ''Particle Astrophysics''.
Perkins in 1959 published his first textbook, together with [[C.F. Powell]] and Peter Fowler, on the theme of the emulsion technique applied to cosmic rays, nuclear, and particle physics. His ''Introduction to High Energy Physics'' is a global standard work on particle physics. In 2003 he published ''Particle Astrophysics''.

Perkins died on 30 October 2022, at the age of 97.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Close |first1=Frank |title=Donald Perkins obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/22/donald-perkins-obituary |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=22 November 2022}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Perkins was awarded honorary doctorates in Bristol and the [[University of Sheffield]]. He was elected a [[Fellow of the Royal Society]] in 1966. In 1979 he received the [[Guthrie Medal and Prize]] of the [[Institute of Physics]], in 1992 the [[Holweck Prize]] of the [[Institut Français de Physique]], in
Perkins was awarded honorary doctorates in Bristol and the [[University of Sheffield]]. He was elected a [[Fellow of the Royal Society]] in 1966. In 1979 he received the [[Guthrie Medal and Prize]] of the [[Institute of Physics]], in 1992 the [[Fernand Holweck Medal and Prize|Holweck Prize]] of the [[Société Française de Physique]], in 1997, the [[Royal Medal]] of the [[Royal Society]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/people/donald-perkins-12081/|title=Royal Society: Fellows Directory Donald H. Perkins, Royal Medal 1997|accessdate=2018-02-14}}</ref> and in 2001 the [[High Energy and Particle Physics Prize]] of the [[European Physical Society]]. He gave numerous guest lectures at universities in Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, Hawaii and Victoria and the 2004 Wolfgang Paul Lecture in Bonn.

1997, the [[Royal Medal]] of the [[Royal Society]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://royalsociety.org/page.asp?id=1750|title=Royal Medal Winners: 2007 - 1990|accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> and in 2001 the [[High Energy and Particle Physics Prize]] of the [[European Physical Society]]. He gave numerous guest lectures at universities in Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, Hawaii and Victoria and the 2004 Wolfgang Paul Lecture in Bonn.
==External links==
*[https://inspirehep.net/author/profile/D.H.Perkins.1 Scientific publications of Donald Hill Perkins] on [[INSPIRE-HEP]]
*{{cite web|url=http://pi.physik.uni-bonn.de/wpaul/wp_perkins.php |title=Donald Perkins |date=2004 |language=de |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611171321/http://pi.physik.uni-bonn.de/wpaul/wp_perkins.php |archivedate=2007-06-11}} (short biography on the occasion of the Wolfgang-Paul-Lecture at the University of Bonn)


== References==
== References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{FRS 1966}}
*[http://pi.physik.uni-bonn.de/wpaul/wp_perkins.php Biography (in German)]

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British physicist
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1925
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[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
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Latest revision as of 18:54, 11 July 2024

Don Perkins
Born
Donald Hill Perkins

15 October 1925
Kingston upon Hull, England
Died30 October 2022

Donald Hill Perkins CBE FRS (15 October 1925 – 30 October 2022) was a British physicist and an emeritus professor at the University of Oxford. He achieved great success in the field of particle physics and was also known for his books.[1]

Personal life and education

[edit]

Perkins was born in 1925 to Gertrude and George Perkins, both school teachers. He was educated at Imperial College London, and in 1945 he received his B.Sc. and in 1948, a Ph.D. He married Dorothy Maloney in 1955 and they had two daughters.[2]

Career

[edit]

From 1949 he worked at Bristol University and in 1955/56 at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley. In 1956 he received the post of reader in Bristol University. In 1963/64 he conducted research at CERN. In 1965 he became Oxford professor of elementary particle physics. There, under the leadership of Denys Wilkinson, he built, along with Ken W. Allen, the new Department of Nuclear Physics. In 1976/77 and 1983/84 he returned to CERN on sabbatical leave.

In 1998 he retired and became Emeritus Fellow of St Catherine's College, Oxford.

Achievements

[edit]

Perkins' earliest achievements include the discovery of the negative pion in cosmic radiation.[3][4] At Berkeley, he worked with accelerators on K-mesons and the annihilation of protons and antiprotons, at CERN in neutrino scattering experiments.

Perkins made important pioneering discoveries in regard to the weak neutral current (Gargamelle experiment) and the experimental verification of quantum chromodynamics. In 1982 he explored the possible proton decay, and found a first indication of neutrino oscillations.

Perkins together with Peter Fowler first suggested the use of pion beams as a cancer therapy in a Nature article in 1961.[5]

Perkins in 1959 published his first textbook, together with C.F. Powell and Peter Fowler, on the theme of the emulsion technique applied to cosmic rays, nuclear, and particle physics. His Introduction to High Energy Physics is a global standard work on particle physics. In 2003 he published Particle Astrophysics.

Perkins died on 30 October 2022, at the age of 97.[2]

Awards

[edit]

Perkins was awarded honorary doctorates in Bristol and the University of Sheffield. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1966. In 1979 he received the Guthrie Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics, in 1992 the Holweck Prize of the Société Française de Physique, in 1997, the Royal Medal of the Royal Society[6] and in 2001 the High Energy and Particle Physics Prize of the European Physical Society. He gave numerous guest lectures at universities in Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, Hawaii and Victoria and the 2004 Wolfgang Paul Lecture in Bonn.

[edit]
  • Scientific publications of Donald Hill Perkins on INSPIRE-HEP
  • "Donald Perkins" (in German). 2004. Archived from the original on 11 June 2007. (short biography on the occasion of the Wolfgang-Paul-Lecture at the University of Bonn)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Donald Hill Perkins 1925–2022". CERN Courier. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Close, Frank (22 November 2022). "Donald Perkins obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Marietta Blau, considered Perkins to have discovered the negative pion and Powell’s team to have discovered the positive pion." C. L. Vieria, A. A. P Videira (2014). "Cesar Lattes, Nuclear Emulsions, and the Discovery of the Pi-meson". Physics in Perspective. 16: 2–36. doi:10.1007/s00016-014-0128-6. S2CID 122718292.
  4. ^ D. H. Perkins (1947). "Nuclear Disintegration by Meson Capture". Nature. 159 (4030): 126–127. doi:10.1038/159126a0. PMID 20281237. S2CID 4107188.
  5. ^ Fowler, P. H.; Perkins, D. H. (February 1961). "The Possibility of Therapeutic Applications of Beams of Negative π-Mesons". Nature. 189 (4764): 524–528. Bibcode:1961Natur.189..524F. doi:10.1038/189524a0. PMID 13701079. S2CID 4293830.
  6. ^ "Royal Society: Fellows Directory Donald H. Perkins, Royal Medal 1997". Retrieved 14 February 2018.
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