Physics Lecturer Gets D.Sc From Edinburgh

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 21

Physics Lecturer Gets D.Sc From Edinburgh

After eight years of research into the optical and structural properties of ions in crystals Mr W. A. Runciman, senior lecturer in physics ait the University of Canterbury, has been awarded a doctorate of science by the University of Edinburgh. The doctorate, which differs from the degree of doctor of philosophy in that it is not done under supervision, is awarded if the thesis is one of distinction as a record of original research. The research had begun While he was employed at the General Electric Company in Britain, had continued for three years when he was a research fellow at the atomic research centre at Harwell and was completed at the University of Canterbury, said Mr Runciman.

The thesis had been pure research but the type of pure research that had a practical application. Work on the optical and structural properties or ions in crystals had been going on for more than a century but interest had been reawakened with research into radar during the war. An indication of the renewed interest Was that five honours students at the University of Canterbury were doing work in the same field, he said.

The equipment at Canterbury had not been up to standard when he came here, said Mr Runciman. Since then there had been a great improvement and the research students now bad good facilities for their work in this subject. Recently the Cabinet had given

approval for the purchase of a helium cryostat which cooled metals down to extremely low temperatures. This was one aspect of the research which had a practical significance as it en-

abled the properties of metals to be studied under variations of low temperatures. Mr Runciman was educated at The George Watson Boys’ College, Edinburgh, and graduated bachelor of science with honours from the University of Edinburgh.