A. W. Pryor

Arthur William Pryor (31 August 1928 – 6 September 2014) was an Australian physicist known for his contributions to neutron diffraction and infrared laser isotope separation. Pryor authored and co-authored a number of papers in the field of crystallography and he also co-authored, with B. T. M. Willis, the book Thermal Vibrations in Crystallography.

Laser isotope separation Pryor conducted research on laser isotope separation using infrared lasers.

Philosophy Later in his career, Pryor was interested on historical and philosophical aspects of science and physics. He wrote various recordings on this subject, which were broadcast on 2SER FM radio in the 1980-1983 period.

Career Pryor was educated at the University of Queensland and completed his doctoral studies at Durham University. He spent most of his career at Lucas Heights, as a scientist in the former Australian Atomic Energy Commission, and was a faculty visiting fellow at Macquarie University where he lectured on atomic physics.

Pryor was a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics and received the 1964 David Syme Research Prize from the University of Melbourne.

He died at the age of 86, on 6 September 2014.