| Citation | Distinguished for his original contributions in three inter-related areas; 'high resolution' photochemistry and photophysics, kinetic spectroscopy and molecular reaction dynamics. His principal achievements include identifying the crucial role of Franck-Condon considerations in the dynamics of molecular photodissociation, exploiting ultra-high-speed rotor beam accelerators in a unique method for studying photochemical reaction dynamics in crossed supersonic molecular beams and initiating the study of rotational alignment in the productions of elementary photochemical processes. The technique of polarised and latterly Doppler resolved photofragment fluorescence spectroscopy, which he initiated in the mid 1970's and further developed in the mid 1980's, is being exploited in many laboratories in the U.s., Germany and Japan to probe the dynamics of molecular photodissociation and the anisotropy of molecular collision processes.
His book "Photochemistry and Spectroscopy" published in 1971 provides a highly original and thoughtful view on the detailed nature of photochemical processes.
In 1982 he was awarded a Tilden Lectureship of the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a Vice-President as well as the Honorary Secretary of its Faraday Division. |