| Citation | Dr. Duncumb is distinguished for his pioneering work on the development of the electron probe X-ray microanalyser and its applications. His early work led to the first commercial instrument employing scanning techniques, and, over a period of more than ten years, he has played a prominent role in the development of methods to allow accurate quantitative microanalysis to be carried out by devising suitable procedures for applying corrections to intensity measurements. He has carried out a thorough assessment of the possibilities and potentialities of combining electron probe microanalysis with electron microscopy, and his group has designed and built the prototype of the first commercial instrument (EMMA) specifically for this purpose. He has a high international reputation. His current work includes running a department dealing with instrument physics, which is successfully devising new instruments and instrumental techniques for industrial and commercial applications. |