The newspaper of the physics community September 2004

CONTENTS 2 News Abrighter future for physics ● Institute awards Farewell to chief executive ● Paperclip Institute chief executive Julia King reviews the government’s new science strategy. physics finalists on film From the discovery of the electron to 4 Council the development of today’s handheld Interactions reports on the computers took more than a century. Institute’s AGM and elections The benefits of fundamental, blue- skies research take time to filter 5 People through, but they can be world-chan- Terry Winterton explains why ging. But this is a message that scien- he wants to teach physics tists have difficulty conveying to politicians, for whom a week is a long time and five years, forever. So when, in March 2004, the Institute was asked for its input into the government’s 10- year investment framework for sci- ence and innovation – a strategy for science over the next decade – I was 6 Letters intrigued. When the final document Einstein Year needs you ● was published in July, I was also im- Your reactions to Interactions pressed; there is plenty in its 200 or so pages to cheer the physics community. 7 Event horizon In our response, we explained that What’s on in physics physics is central to the government’s vision for the UK as a “key knowledge 8 Antimatters hub in the global economy”, but that Literature to inspire we face a challenging future. In the last physics students decade the number of students taking physics A-level fell by 20%, and 30% of the country’s physics departments closed. While UK physics research remains strong, the recent shift in funding towards the biomedical sci- Physics education in schools is in need of a boost as fewer students are taking the subject at A-level. ences is having an impact. Reading the investment framework BY THE NUMBERS The Institute first highlighted the efforts on physics teaching in schools. proposals, I was encouraged that our problem of these “physics deserts” in Sensibly, the 10-year strategy also “It’s not about lobbying has had some influence: ● Total R&D spending should increase 2003, and we’ve been lobbying hard has a strong focus on science educa- there are positive measures on science from 1.9 to 2.5% of GDP by 2014. for it to get the recognition it deserves. tion. More money will be offered to winning. It’s about funding and support for teachers and Public-sector spending to increase from I was gratified to read in the invest- those training to be science teachers, university departments in priority 0.62 to 0.8%. ment framework that extra money as well as those starting out on their learning more subject areas. The investment frame- ● Investment in science base to increase will be available for departments science teaching careers. This is a work promises an additional £1.1 bn by £1.1 bn to £5 bn by 2008, an average where there is a “powerful case that good starting point, but it must be about physics.” for science over the next three years, annual growth rate of 5.8%. weakening provision in a particular recognised that all science subjects are Paperclip Physics finalist, p3 and spending will continue to rise ● A dedicated capital fund of £500 m for region would hinder student access to not the same – biology, for example, over the decade. The ultimate aim is to the renewal of universities’ research disciplines that are important to eco- has not suffered as physics and chem- “Pullman has take total spending on R&D from infrastructure. nomic development”. However, I also istry have. So we’re also pushing hard 1.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) ● An extra £80 m a year until 2008 for worry about those physics depart- for this extra money to be targeted at acquired a close to 2.5% by 2014. That’s an ambitious research councils to increase the ments that can’t make that case but subjects-in-need, like physics. target, not least because it includes a proportion they pay towards the are already in the red and under threat Better science education in schools familiarity with large increase in private investment. overheads of research projects. Close to of closure. isn’t just about training more scien- Investors in this country don’t always 100% of costs to be paid by early in the tists. These days, scientific issues are cutting-edge see the value of R&D, and share values next decade. Focus on schools issues for the whole of society. I physics.” ● often fall when companies spend £70 m for research councils to spend To me, the heart of the problem is believe that children who are inspired John Gribbin, p8 more on research. “to ensure the health of disciplines”. school physics education. Most of us by science at school are more likely A big increase in R&D activity also Physical sciences and engineering given remember being inspired by great to grow into adults who engage in means training and recruiting thou- special mention. teachers, but approximately two- informed debates about new tech- “I’m a firm believer sands more scientists. Simply put, an ● Teacher-training bursary for science thirds of those currently teaching nologies – or even into future inves- increase of 30% in the proportion graduates to increase from £6000 to physics to 11 to 14-year-olds are non- tors who don’t shy away from firms in continuous spent on R&D implies 30% more £7000, and Golden Hello for new physics graduates. Without proper engaged in R&D. It all begins with education.” researchers. Contrast this with the science teachers to increase from training and support for those teach- education. In recognising this, the Terry Winterton, p5 closure in the last decade of 30% of £4000 to £5000. ers, we’ll see a further fall in the num- government’s investment framework UK physics departments. Right now, bers taking physics A-level and, as a could be the thrust that pushes there are parts of the country where consequence, in the numbers choos- physics out of reverse and into for- no university teaches undergraduate ing to study it at university. More ward gear for this century. We’ll con- physics. With the advent of “top-up” departments will close, there will be tinue working to ensure that it is. UPDATE YOUR fees, it is even more important that fewer opportunities for those who do MEMBERSHIP young people who are fascinated by want to study physics, and fewer There will be a Key Insight Business physics have the opportunity to study physics graduates to take part in the Briefing on 29 November for the Business RECORD AT it close to home, which is usually a R&D that our economy needs. That Partners Network to follow up on themes members.iop.org cheaper option. is why the Institute has focused its from the10-year investment framework.

Interactions September 2004 Nick Robinson/sammorganmoore.com e end of the year the Institute the year e end of ent David Wallace. “She has Wallace. David ent king practices.”king ared with 60% afterwards. -time before their career break, -time before k–life balance for employees.” for balance k–life aks – worked respondents 20% of r ll for the future.”ll for siness leaders. “It the magic is not rt mp e The survey revealed clear a demand Shortly after the Institute joining At th r part-time work following career following r part-time work eted in 2003. “Julia has achieved a in 2003. “Juliaeted has achieved ullet, but it is part of improving the it is partullet, but improving of try is losing out on valuable workers,” try valuable on out losing is she said. “Scientists to are expensive to investment train, a good not so it is just profession their let them leave attitude because an old-fashioned of to wor fo br pa vices to materialsvices to engineering. its 38she surveyed that 000 members; the survey was develop then used to com- Institute’s strategy, forward pl short time great deal in the relatively the Institute,”she has been at said presid executive, chief been an excellent the of raise the profile to helping Institute. It’s been a pleasure working and the Institute wishes her with her, we co be one may Offering part-time work way for companies to hold on to told Kneissl skilledhighly workers, bu b wo best for practice a guide to will publish a career break. planning anyone http://diversity.iop.org many returningmany

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This is as much a problem for indus- for a problem This is as much Wendy 55% of physicists in industry in physicists 55% of returned to mother 85% in academia. Kneissl. says try women, as it is for if “Clearly, as en as their jobs in industry or academia for indus- altogether, science leaving even she was honoured with a CBE for ser- for with a CBE she was honoured tion rate for the industrial as for sector a rate tion was particularlywhole high – 34% of in the sector worked respondents their career break, whilebefore just so afterwards.14% did Diversity lea- programme in Physics the research, commissioned der who told bu flexibility in industry the heart was at of the problem, as of cha her career, Kingher career, several has also held public appo demia and industry. She has held sev- She hasdemia and industry. held in positions academic eral senior univer- and Nottingham Cambridge the on principally sities, working and frac- metal of fatigue mechanisms tu Aerospa ing director of engineering of and tech- director ing no o had Breaks 2004 Breaks

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unched on 28 on unched a meeting at July ed in industry left the sector ng k–f king practices if they are to retain practices ifking are to they men. Of these, a taken 70% had ulty in the country and will oversee ce they had children. had ce they Around 300 Institute members had Ki ea wing a successfulwing career in both aca- EINSTEIN YEAR responded to the survey, 95% of them 95% of the survey, to responded wo bre career just 40% of that the survey found after returning a careerthose work to br the attri- But employer. their previous work on Einstein gets a surfing lesson from 16-year-old Reubyn Ash, a wild-card entry for Britain at the Rip Curl Einstein gets a surfing lesson from 16-year-old Reubyn Ash, a wild-card entry was in the south west to Boardmasters held in Newquay on 6 August. Einstein (played by actor Gary Barber) speed and balance are what promote Einstein Year (2005). Surfing is all about physics, he told Ash, because and centre of balance. matter most and these depend on the physical principles of buoyancy, gravity Institute bids farewell to chief At the en chief exec engi- of the new principal become London. neering Imperial at College She will head the largest engineering fac 10 departments, of more the work 1000 staffthan and 3800 students. lo Industry must get flexible more By Michelle Cain A survey the Institute’s of member- physics-based that has shown ship industries flexible more must adopt wor career take who breaks. employees The survey report was la of senior fi neering-based were They industry. told that many Peter Williams, the Jonathan Mark Huntley, Clifford Victor Johnson, Barbara A Maher, John Ellis, CERN. For his John Ellis, CERN. For Athene Margaret Donald, Geoff Hall, Imperial College London; William Frank Vinen, the University William Frank Vinen,

Heather Reid, BBC Scotland. For the Philip St-John Russell, University Ken Dobson. For his important Nigel Hussey, University of Bristol.

TERSON MEDAL & PRIZE. PA Loughborough University. For the development of novel methods of laser speckle interferometry, phase unwrapping algorithms and the use of positron emission in a wide variety of applications. MAXWELL MEDAL & PRIZE. University of Southern California. For his outstanding contribution to string theory, quantum gravity and its interface with strongly coupled field theory; in particular for his work on understanding the censorship and MOTT MEDAL & PRIZE. University of Cambridge. For the development of powerful new methods for the study of the properties of soft condensed matter; in particular colloids, polymers and biological materials. DIRAC MEDAL & PRIZE. highly influential work on particle-physics highly influential work particular on the properties of phenomenology; in and the top quark. gluons, the Higgs boson CHREE MEDAL & PRIZE. contributions to Lancaster University. For her pioneering record the study of magnetic signals from the geological as a means of determining climatic changes. GLAZEBROOK MEDAL & PRIZE. his outstanding Engineering and Technology Board. For through his contributions to physics-based industry as Oxford leadership of world-class companies such the Instruments and through his work with government,

September 2004 news

actions

practical application. For his important contributions to the understanding of high- temperature superconductors; in particular for making the first observation of the full Fermi surface in a high- temperature superconductor. BOYS MEDAL & PRIZE. of Bath. For his proposal of the concept of photonic crystal fibres and his outstanding contribution to their development and thermodynamics of singularities in quantum space–time. promotion of physics to schoolchildren and the public through public lectures, workshops and the media. YOUNG MEDAL & PRIZE. KELVIN MEDAL & PRIZE. KELVIN Alessandro Marchioro, CERN; Peter Sharp, RAL/CERN. For their development of “radiation hard” analogue electronics for silicon detectors, enabling their use as a means of precision detection and measurement of charged particle production at the Large Hadron Collider. GUTHRIE MEDAL & PRIZE. GUTHRIE MEDAL & and in the contributions to physics education in assessment development of original curriculum material. DUDDELL MEDAL & PRIZE. BRAGG MEDAL & PRIZE. of Birmingham. For his outstanding contributions to superfluids and outstanding contributions to superfluids of Birmingham. For his particular for the observation and superconductors; in first vortices in superfluid helium, the measurement of quantized quantum mechanics to a direct confirmation of the application of macroscopic body. research councils and professional bodies. INSTITUTE AWARDS 2005 INSTITUTE AWARDS

Inter 2 news 3

HIGHLIGHTS

● Forging wills and bank cheques Physics is star of new film could soon be near impossible thanks to a team of physicists from the Università degli Studi Roma Tre in Rome, Italy. David Reid reports on a new documentary about the Paperclip Physics competition. Writing in the September issue of Journal of Optics A, the team announced a new An observational documentary film technique that can detect forged of the Institute’s Paperclip Physics handwriting better than ever before. It competition was released in August works by creating a 3D hologram of a and has been sent to more than 1200 piece of handwriting and then analysing schools across the country. The film, the tiny variations and bumps along its which follows the progress of a team path using two common scientific from Birmingham, demonstrates how techniques: virtual reality and image taking part in the competition can be processing. Author Schirripa Spagnolo an exciting and rewarding experience said: “Finding these bumps allows for students. experts to easily determine the sequence The Paperclip Physics competition of strokes in a piece of handwriting and is open to 15 to 17-year-olds in the UK the telltale signs of a forgery or original.” and Ireland and challenges them to Reports of this new weapon in the fight explain a concept from physics using against crime appeared in The Times, only everyday household objects. New Scientist and BBC News Online. Their explanations have to be accur- ate and clear as the panel of judges ● Research described in the October includes a physicist, a physics teacher issue of Physiological Measurement may and – crucially – a non-scientist. help the five million people worldwide This year was the biggest in the who have the heart disorder atrial competition’s history, with more than fibrillation (AF). In AF, the upper 200 schools taking part. As the docu- chambers of the heart – the atria – quiver mentary shows, the teams used vari- and beat rapidly, which can lead to heart ous creative techniques to explain failure and stroke. “We want to determine their sometimes complex concepts, if AF can be terminated by using a series including staged mini-plays, demon- of low-energy electrical shocks,” strations and an assortment of house- explained author Kityee Au-Yeung, from hold items, including eggs, bin bags Duke University, North Carolina, US. The

and a xylophone. In preparing their Large Blue team has built a device that can be presentations, the students often go Tense moments as students from King Edward VI school explain the concept of momentum at the grand final. implanted under the skin close to the well beyond the limits of the national heart, like a pacemaker. It sends out a curriculum in their understanding of girls reveal the highs and lows of film’s potential impact as DVDs have universe – the film does have a happy radio signal so an electrocardiogram can their chosen topic. taking part, and the documentary gets been sent across the country and to all ending, when one finalist remarks: be recorded The documentary, made by profes- across the excitement and commit- branches of the Institute. “We hope “It’s not about winning. It’s about directly, and a sional film-maker Ade Thomas of the ment of being involved in the compe- this film will encourage lots of extra learning more about physics.” computer then production company Large Blue, tition. The film also shows the girls as entries for the 2005 competition,” she The deadline for entries for next sends a signal tells the story of a team from King they receive some tough grilling from said. “We want Paperclip Physics to be year’s Paperclip Physics competition back to the device Edward VI school, a girls’ school in the panel of judges, impressing their one of the biggest schools competi- is 8 October 2004. The first prize is a telling it to deliver Handsworth, Birmingham. We see own physics teacher Marcin Slaski: tions in the country.” trip to an Aventure Scientifique sci- a short burst of the team as they prepare to win the “I’m incredibly pleased with them. Although the King Edward VI team ence camp in France. To enter or to electrical pulses to Midlands regional final at Birming- They answered even the most difficult didn’t ultimately win the competition request your own copy of the DVD, the heart. “We ham University, then follow their of questions really well.” – the prize went to the King’s School contact Sarah Connolly at sarah. hope that with this story all the way to the grand final in Liz Parvin, one of the competition’s in Macclesfield, Cheshire, for their [email protected]. novel system we can learn more about AF London. Through video diaries the organisers, is optimistic about the explanation of the expansion of the http://paperclip.iop.org. and, subsequently, find a more effective way to treat it,” said Au-Yeung. News of the device appeared in newspapers and Guthrie medal across the country, including The Students meet Nobel laureates Scotsman, the Yorkshire Post and on finds its owner BBC News Online. In July, the Institute hosted an im- By Ian Cuthbert and Joseph Hines Bastille, a 19th-century fortress built as well as their more recent research. promptu award ceremony as theor- Grenoble in eastern France is a city at the top of the Alps that has an There were also discussion sessions in ● In August the Institute named the etical physicist Jeffrey Goldstone renowned for its technology, its high exceptional panoramic view. Overall, which students got the chance to quiz top ten physics heroes from around the came to receive his Guthrie medal – student population – around 10% – they found the trip to be a valuable the laureates one-to-one on any sub- country as part of its efforts to promote 21 years after it was awarded. He was and its scenic Alpine backdrop. It was learning experience. “I never knew ject, and these were widely seen as the Einstein Year and to encourage local selected for this Institute award in also the city of choice for this year’s there could be so much physics con- most valuable part of the conference. community groups to organise events for 1983, but had moved to the US and annual Nexus student trip in late June. centrated in one city,” said Michael One of the most popular talks was next year. The Institute’s branches was unable to pick it up. For reasons Nexus, the Institute’s student wing, Callaghan, a student at the University from Douglas Osheroff of Stanford nominated a shortlist of scientists from buried in the mists of time, he never has more than 8000 members, 30 of of Dundee who hopes to become a University, California, on the investi- each region, received his medal. During his latest whom went to Grenoble for the physics teacher. “It’s been great to see gation into last year’s Columbia shut- and a panel of visit to London, he dropped by the chance to visit some of Europe’s top physics on the European level.” tle accident. The group later had the experts including Institute to finally put matters right. physics-based research facilities. They Meanwhile, a group of 10 postgrad- chance to follow up on the discussion physicists, toured the Institut Laue-Langevin uate students selected by the Institute of NASA’s safety procedures over educators and (ILL), home to the world’s most in- went to Lindau in Germany for the lunch with the Nobel prize winner. communicators tense neutron source and a “nucleus chance to meet some Nobel prize- The PhD students also had the oppor- selected one for international collaboration in neu- winning physicists in person. Every tunity to tour the island and castle of “physics hero” tron science and technology”, accord- year since 1951, this picturesque town Mainau, the residence of Countess from each place, ing to Peter Timmins, an ILL physicist. on Lake Constance has been the set- Sonja Bernadotte, who sponsors the based on which They also paid a visit to the European ting for a week-long conference of conference. Next year, instead of alter- one had made the most important Synchrotron Radiation Facility, a Nobel laureates. The meeting alter- nating between the three sciences, contribution to society. The winners “super microscope” that uses an X-ray nates each year between physics, Lindau will host an interdisciplinary include Isaac Newton, Joseph Swann, beam to study the structure of matter. medicine and chemistry. conference of Nobel laureates. Paul Dirac, Kathleen Lonsdale and The students also took time to see The conference included lectures http://nexus.iop.org James Clerk Maxwell (above). the sights in Grenoble, including the on the laureates’ prize-winning work, http://yp.iop.org Top image: Gary S & Vivian Chapman/Getty Images.

Interactions September 2004 4 council Interactions reports from the Annual General Meeting and Council meeting, both held at 76 Portland Place on 22 July. Annual General Meeting 2004 Council opens its doors to all the membership On 22 July, the Institute held its 34th VOTING RESULTS ful in technical, scientific and market Annual General Meeting (AGM) at terms, said Wallard, will require a 76 Portland Place. The AGM is a AGM lot of ongoing work, including inde- If you are like most members, you chance for members to vote on pro- pendent assessments, which can be probably joined the Institute as a stu- posals put forward by Council and to Ordinary Resolution 1 expensive. The resolution, which dent, continued as an associate mem- raise issues of importance to the To confirm the appointment of required a two-thirds majority, was ber, and then went on to become a full membership in general. While most BDO Stoy Hayward as auditors passed with more than 73% of the vote. member or perhaps a fellow. You get members chose to vote by proxy, a 931 for, 14 against (98.4% in favour) After the conclusion of formal busi- your every month and small number came to exercise their Simple majority required: ness, the Institute’s president David might take part in your local branch democratic rights in person. resolution passed. Wallace invited general questions or your subject group – but that’s it. The meeting began with summar- from members. No new resolutions Very few members get involved in the ies of the Annual Review and the Special Resolution 1 were proposed, but members expres- running of the Institute centrally, and a working laboratory that is staffed accounts for 2003, both of which were To approve membership sed various concerns: how best to only a small number will be aware just by real scientists. formally adopted by the membership. subscriptions for 2005 celebrate the achievements of older how the Institute is governed. Four Council was enthusiastic about the In his summing up, honorary treas- 856 for, 88 against (90.5% in favour) members; formal changes to the times a year, in each issue that follows project and its potential for success, urer Tony Scott pointed out that 92% Two-thirds majority required: Charter to reflect the language used by a Council meeting, Interactions will and all expected that the lorries would of the Institute’s expenditure last year resolution passed. Council (e.g. the executive secretary report on the discussions at Council be in high demand, particularly by the was in direct support of its charitable has long been referred to as the chief to give some insight into the running branches. The project is expected to aims – a proportion that compares Special Resolution 2 executive); and the long-standing pol- of the Institute. launch next March. Members who very favourably with other charities. To approve Physicist icy, recently formalised, to exclude staff When Council met most recently, would like to volunteer to staff the The first formal resolution of the registration fee for 2005 and current Council members from on 22 July, this spirit of openness was lorries can find out more at www. day, to appoint BDO Stoy Hayward as 689 for, 246 against (73.3% in favour) being nominated for Institute awards. taken one step further when it was labinalorry.co.uk. auditors, was passed without debate. Two-thirds majority required: decided that the minutes and papers Liz Parvin, the outgoing branches The next resolution to be approved resolution passed. Special General Meeting of Council meetings will from now on representative, also gave Council an was a rise of around 3% in member- A Special General Meeting (SGM) was be made available for all members overview of the Institute’s 13 regional ship subscriptions for 2005. Andrew SGM convened following the AGM to who wish to read them. The minutes branches and their activities. While Wallard, vice-president for member- approve formal changes to the Bylaws of the April Council meeting are now most branches have some social ship and qualifications, explained that Special Resolution 1 and Charter of the Institute. The available online at http://members. events for members, most focus their the increases were needed to support Amendment to Charter, Clause 3 changes proposed were to Clause 3 of iop.org/governance.html. efforts on generating interest in phys- the Institute’s outreach work in pro- 860 for, 80 against (91.2% in favour) the Charter and Bylaw 103. The cur- The highlight of the July meeting ics among the general public, often moting physics, in particular for Three-quarters majority required: rent rules prevent trustees from was a presentation a new Institute through their close ties with local Einstein Year. Even so, he pointed out, resolution passed. receiving payments from the Institute, project – Lab in a Lorry. As the name schools and universities. For example, the increases were lower than last but it was recently recognised that this suggests, a Lab in a Lorry is a lorry the South Central Branch invited year’s. Once again, the resolution was Special Resolution 2 would prevent, for example, the edi- equipped with interesting experi- nuclear physicist and science popu- passed without objection. Amendment to Bylaw 103 tor-in-chief of a major journal pub- ments, which can tour the country, lariser Jim Al-Khalili to give a talk on The resolution to approve the new 866 for, 74 against (91.8% in favour) lished by the Institute (a paid position) stopping at supermarket car parks, quantum mechanics at a recent pro- registration fees for Chartered Physi- Two-thirds majority required: from becoming a trustee. sporting events or schools to demon- duction in Lewes of Michael Frayn’s cist caused more discussion among resolution passed. Since it is important for the Institute strate exciting physics to children, or play Copenhagen. Parvin noted, how- the members present. The qualifica- to be represented by leading names in indeed to any member of the public ever, that branches have been less tion, which had been free of charge the community in all its activities, who is interested. Sarah Iredale, the successful at reaching members in since its introduction in 1985, has line with those offered by similar including publishing, a change was project’s programme manager, told industry, and there was some discus- seen steady increases, year on year, professional organisations. Chartered proposed to allow small payments to Council that thanks to generous fund- sion about how best to attract them in since 2002. There was concern that status is increasingly sought after by be made to trustees under certain cir- ing from the Schlumberger Founda- the future. these increases – from zero to £5, to employers, and the Institute plans to cumstances. The resolution to change tion, three lorries will be available for Full details of the matters discussed £10, and now to £15 – might continue promote the Chartered Physicist and the wording, which had been approved Einstein Year (2005). What makes the by Council will be available after the indefinitely. Wallard explained that Chartered Scientist qualifications more by the Charity Commission and Privy project unique, says Iredale, is that it next meeting, in October, at http:// the new fees bring the qualification in widely. For these to remain meaning- Council, was passed by the members. is not a show or a demonstration – it’s members.iop.org/governance.html. election results: council The following have been elected to serve on Council, starting in October 2004.

Vice-president for science Vice-president for education Vice-president for industry Branches representative The Bylaws allow Council to co-opt up (2004–2008) (2004–2008) (2004–2008) (2004–2008) to three members to serve on Council. Prof. Carole Jordan FRS CPhys FInstP Dr Elizabeth Swinbank CPhys FinstP Dr Keith Winters CPhys FInstP Dr Vincent Smith MBE CPhys FInstP Co-options are for a year and can be Carole Jordan has Elizabeth Swinbank has Keith Winters has Vincent Smith has renewed twice to make a maximum worked in astrophysics spent her career in worked in industry since worked in experimental term of three years. since 1965. She spent physics education, 1977, when he joined elementary particle 10 years in the developing curricula the theoretical physics physics since 1969, Dr Julie Corbett Astrophysics Research from primary to division of UKAEA at and has taken part in CPhys FInstP, chair Unit at the Culham undergraduate levels. Harwell. After 10 years experiments at both of the Diversity Laboratory in She taught physics in of industrial research he CERN and Fermilab. A Committee, has been Oxfordshire and then, in 1976, became a schools for many years before joining the moved into R&D management, holding the reader in physics at Bristol University, he is co-opted to serve as a fellow at Somerville College, Oxford. She Science Education Group at the University position of corporate research director at currently involved in preparatory work on member of Council for was a lecturer in physics at Oxford for of York in 1990. She has served on many the privatised AEA Technology. He is the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. He has 2004–2005. many years, and in 1996 was awarded the education panels, including the PPARC currently chief technologist at the firm. been an active member of the Institute’s title Professor of Physics. She was elected panel for the public understanding of Winters is also a director of the Smith South-West branch since 1989 and is now Prof. Nigel Mason a fellow of the Royal Society in 1990. science. In 2004 she received the Institute’s Institute for Industrial Mathematics and its chairman. He serves on the Institute’s CPhys FInstP has From 1994 to 1996 she was president of Bragg medal and prize for her work in Systems Engineering, a member of the Nuclear Physics Divisional Committee, the been co-opted to serve the Royal Astronomical Society. Jordan physics education. Swinbank directs the Manchester and Liverpool Science Fellowship Panel and the Degree as a member of has served on Council once before, from Salters Horners Advanced Physics and Enterprise Board and a visiting professor Accreditation Committee. In 2004 he was Council for 1992 to 1996. TRUMP projects and edits Physics Review. at the universities of Nottingham and Bristol. awarded an MBE for services to physics. 2004–2005.

Interactions September 2004 people 5 profile: Terry Winterton OBSERVATIONS Edward Coles-Gale and fellow students from Imperial College London experienced the thrill of An education in life weightlessness as part of the European Space Agency’s Student Parabolic Flight Campaign. How a successful Tuesday 29 June engineer decided Arrived in Bordeaux and went straight to Novespace, the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) facility in France. As finalists in their to teach physics. parabolic flight competition, over the next 11 days our team – the Space Cowboys – will join around a dozen others from Europe to When Terry Winterton turned 50 last year he had a big celebration. And conduct genuine scientific experiments in microgravity. why not? His first half-century had Our own experiment will investigate standing waves in a box filled been a fulfilling one. He’d travelled with air and water. In zero gravity the water should form planes along and worked abroad, had a successful the nodes of the standing waves. Using two perpendicular career as a civil engineer and two oscillators, we hope to create a free-floating “box of water”. teenage sons to be proud of. He was also celebrating his big decision – to Thursday 1 July embark on an entirely new career as a We put on our flight suits for the first safety inspection and boarded physics teacher. the plane feeling like real astronauts. Even though the aircraft was What made him give up engineer- still on the ground, I still got a real buzz from the 20 s simulation ing and start from scratch in teaching? parabola, during which we practised our experiments. Being here at “Throughout my whole life I’ve been the ESA and meeting real people who work in space technology, I very interested in personal develop- ment, and I just wasn’t going any- feel that a career in space science – even as an astronaut – could be where in myself,” says Winterton. “I possible, whereas before it seemed out of reach. enjoyed engineering – I’ve got a prob- Monday 5 July lem-solving kind of mind so it suited Today is 0g day! We’re about to experience something that most me quite well. And I could have kept on doing that, but I don’t know that it people can only dream of. Before take-off the pilot explained how parabolic flight works by masking gravity’s acceleration. As the plane would have developed me in any way.” Chris Rushton In January he started a Physics Contemplating the future: Terry Winterton plans to work with teenagers. traces the arc of a parabola – the natural shape of an object free- Enhancement Course at Keele Univer- falling towards earth – we will experience 0g relative to the inside of the sity – a pilot project set up by the college. “I remember him demonstra- spiritual side of things – doing what aircraft. A good thing we’ve got some anti-nausea medication to hand. Teacher Training Agency, with sup- ting Newton’s third law by drawing a you’re supposed to do, being who “First parabola in one minute. Pull up!” – the announcement we’d port from the Institute and the Gatsby cartoon of a guy firing off a blunder- you’re supposed to be,” says Winter- been waiting for. The strength of gravity increased noticeably to Foundation, that gives rigorous train- buss, and the ball going off in one ton. “And I’m a firm believer in con- 1.9g. We’d been instructed to face forward, with no head ing to non-physicists who plan to direction and the guy falling over tinuous education. Learning – I just teach physics. Over six months, the backwards in the other direction,” think without it you’re dead.” movements, and then we might keep our lunches! The angles were course brings trainee teachers up to says Winterton. “It was 30 years ago, He considered teaching at univer- called out: “30…40…injection!” The transition between hypergravity first-year degree level in the relevant but the image has stuck in my mind sity, but ultimately decided that he and zero gravity (or near enough) seemed to happen in slow motion. areas of physics. because it made me realise that I think was better suited to school teaching. My brain told me that it wasn’t the aircraft dropping but me rising, For Winterton, developing as a per- very strongly in pictures.” “While I’m good at problem solving, floating up to rest against the seat belt. We were experiencing son once meant becoming a civil engi- my motivation comes from people – weightlessness for the first time. The Bay of Biscay looked strangely neer – a challenge for a young man Continuous education interaction with people, involvement eerie viewed through the window at 47 degrees. who had little confidence in his aca- With this insight and renewed moti- with people,” he explains. “It seems to demic abilities. He had failed his vation, he passed his A-levels with fly- me that it will just be more interesting Wednesday 7 July 11-plus and attended a secondary- ing colours and went on to Portsmouth working with teenagers – it will require Yesterday my team-mates Marcus and John flew for the first time modern for boys in Wiltshire that Polytechnic to study civil engineering. engagement. Challenging would be with the experiment. Today was to be our third and final flight. We “wasn’t a particularly good school”. After graduating in 1981, he joined another way of looking at.” decided to concentrate on the frequency that had given the best “We never did any homework–it the firm Amec, working his way up The idea to go into teaching came to wasn’t given to us, it just wasn’t done,” over the years from design engineer Winterton about five years ago, but results and just vary the phase of the perpendicular oscillators. We Winterton recalls, and he left school to chief design engineer to chief engi- only became practical when he turned were full of anticipation – to experience zero gravity once more and with no idea how to study. After a neer at CV Buchan, Amec’s precast- 50 and could take early retirement to carry out our experiments for real. Before take-off we learnt that couple of years working as a techni- concrete manufacturing centre in to pay off his mortgage. A tax-free our flight would be postponed to 13:00 because of the weather. cian in the Middle East for Cable and Cheshire. It was a rewarding career – grant from the Physics Enhancement After what seemed like an eternity, we were on our way. Wireless, he realised that he wasn’t he worked on many major tunnelling Project enabled him to complete the “3…2…1…pull up!” The nose pitched up and gravity pressed us into being stretched and came back to projects, including the Jubilee Line financial transition. With his engi- the floor. “30…40…injection!” Secured only with a strap across my England looking for a challenge. extension and the Docklands Light neering background, Winterton has ankles I floated along the cabin. The immediate sensation is a lack He’d been inspired by the civil engi- Railway. But after 22 years, he felt it more physics than many of his fellow neering work he’d seen in Bahrain and was time to find out what was next in students. Nevertheless, much of the of control, but very quickly you start to learn to move. Then, almost Dubai in the seventies, and was start- life. “For me, what’s important is the work–especially nuclear physics, as quickly, we thumped back down onto to the deck as we hit 2g. ing to appreciate that he had an apti- quantum theory and astronomy – is During the next five parabolas we split our time between the tude for physics and maths. He bought totally new to him. experiment and the free-floating area, where we were spun like balls a book on “how to study” and retook “Learning – I just As he begins his PGCE, Winterton and bounced off the sides of the aircraft. his A-levels. His new-found determin- think without is excited about the future and teach- Once it was all over we felt odd, as if 1g wasn’t quite right – too ation and self-belief came from an ing physics. But it’s not just about weak and yet too restrictive at the same time. One should either float unusual source, he says – yoga. “It was passing on knowledge. He hopes that it you’re dead.” or find it much harder to walk than this. We hadn’t managed to create through yoga – the mental discipline, he will be able to give his students not the physical – that I first became something he didn’t get at school – a box of water, more a “lump”. To achieve our goal we’d need more aware that I was able to control my self-belief. “That’s one thing I’d really powerful oscillators and to be closer to 0g. That’s for next time, I hope. mind, that I could influence the sharp- like to pass over – to let them know ness of my mind.” that if there’s something you really If you would like to write about your experiences for OBSERVATIONS, please send an Another source of inspiration was want to do, you can do it.” e-mail with your idea to [email protected]. the Canadian physics teacher at his http://teachingphysics.iop.org

Interactions September 2004 6 letters

President Prof. Sir David J Wallace CBE FRS FInstP, President Elect Prof. Sir John E Enderby CBE FRS FInstP, Honorary Secretary Prof. John L Beeby FInstP, Honorary Treasurer Dr J A (Tony) Scott FInstP, Vice-president, Education and Public Affairs Dr Ruth Fenn MBE FInstP, Vice-president, International Affairs Prof. Michael J Kelly FRS FInstP, Chair, Industry and Business Sir Gareth Roberts FRS FInstP, Vice-president, Membership and Qualifications Prof. Andrew Wallard FInstP, Chief Executive Dr Julia King CBE FInstP, Director, Education & Science Prof. Peter Main FInstP, Director, International Dr Peter Melville FInstP, Director, Membership and Electronic Services Mr John Brindley, Director, Strategy & Communications and Business Dr Paul Danielsen FInstP, Group Finance Director Mr Sean Fox MInstP, Managing Director, Publishing Mr Jerry Cowhig MInstP.

Editor Ayala Ochert, Senior Production Editor Laura Churchill, Art Director Andrew Giaquinto Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800 ; fax: +44 (0)20 7470 4991; e-mail: [email protected]; Web: http://members.iop.org

LETTER FROM Warmer relations views, and in a paper designed for a OBITUARY wider readership. The articles on ...the president elect I was very interested in the articles nanotechnology are of particular about nanotechnology and the interest to me as I am a physics David Blow 1931–2004 Some of you may know relation between scientists and the consultant specialising in the that 2005 is the first general public that appeared in the application and exploitation of A leading light in the early days year of my presidency of first issue of Interactions. I agree that micronanotechnology, the of protein crystallography, the Institute. I hope all scientists must make a serious economic and social impact of David Blow helped lay the of you know by now that attempt to mount an effective which will be far-reaching as we foundations for one of the most 2005 is also Einstein dialogue with the lay public and that move into the next decade. successful techniques of modern Year. I am extremely proud to become the area of nanotechnology David Tolfree molecular biology. president at such an exciting time. represents an important example of Manchester Blow won an open scholarship to Einstein Year is a unique opportunity for such an interaction. Cambridge to study physics, and in the physics community – it’s our chance However, I feel even more strongly I’m very content receiving 1954 he went on to work with to inspire the physicists of the future and that there is an urgent need to Interactions. As an undergraduate Max Perutz, one of the founding so make a real difference to physics in establish a dialogue on the subject of student member from the continent, fathers of structural biology, on the the UK and Ireland. global warming, where it is vital that I’ve always felt no more than a structure of haemoglobin. He made Einstein Year aims to capture the the general public comes rapidly to “Physics World reader”. Now I feel fully an immediate impact in the field and imagination of children and adults appreciate the seriousness of the a member of the Institute. It also helped develop a key method – alike – to show that there is much more situation and the need for immediate helps me explain to friends and isomorphous replacement – for to physics than “boring equations”, as action to minimise carbon emissions. acquaintances what the Institute solving the structures of proteins. some would have them believe. The high- I believe that organisations like the actually does for its members. After two years as a postdoc in the profile media coverage and national Institute of Physics carry an Martien Berkelaar US, he returned to Cambridge in events that the Institute is organising important responsibility to educate Rotterdam, the Netherlands 1959 and set about developing other David Blow: a biophysics pioneer. should have a real impact. But without the lay population in this area. techniques for determining protein a programme of local events for people John Orton A line to say how much I appreciated structures – such as how non- early retirement in 1994, moving to go to on a Saturday afternoon, even Leicester the first edition of Interactions. Your crystallographic symmetry could with his wife Mavis to the seaside the widest media coverage will have article about Dr Schoenberg was of be detected from diffraction data. town of Appledore in Devon. been wasted. Déjà vu great interest to me as I commenced This led to the development of Characteristically, he entered into Local events are key; without them my career at EMI’s Research the rotation and translation the spirit of his new community, but there will be no Einstein Year. And In the July Interactions I was interested Laboratory in 1940, when many of functions, which remain powerful very few Appledore residents would the more events there are, the more to see the reference to an article in the team that worked on that first crystallographic tools. have known of his eminence as a people will be inspired. It is the The Independent by James Lovelock high-definition television system Blow also solved the structure and scientist – he never boasted about contribution of each and every member arguing for nuclear power as the only were still there. It is a pleasure to elucidated the mechanism of his achievements. of the Institute that will ultimately make way to halt global warming. It receive Physics World every month, chymotrypsin – only the second David Blow was quietly or break Einstein Year. reminds me of Tim Hewat’s The and the pleasure is now enhanced! enzyme structure to be solved. passionate about what he did and Even if you just plant the idea for an Greenhouse Effect: The Answer. In it he David Evans In 1976 he moved to Imperial loved talking science with his event at your local sports centre, theatre writes: “An important factor is a Devizes, Wiltshire College to set up the biophysics colleagues. He bore his final or village hall, you will have made a rational rethink – without the section in the department of illness – the lung cancer that led to difference to hundreds – perhaps emotional scaremongering the Having received the first edition of physics. During his time at his death on 8 June – with his typical thousands – of people. If every one of our greenies have sponsored for years – Interactions, I am sorry to say that I feel Imperial he solved the structures fortitude and good humour, sharing members does something for Einstein on the role of nuclear power, the only this is an extremely retrograde move. of several important proteins. He the burden with very few people. He Year that involves just ten members of practical source of clean energy.” Years ago I used to look through went on to become dean of the enriched the lives of his many the public, then 370 000 people will Jim Thyer Physics World (and its predecessors) Royal College of Science at students, colleagues and friends, have been reached. Make that 100 Victoria, Australia reasonably thoroughly, but of late it Imperial and head of the and they will miss him greatly. people each, and we could connect with seems to have become too abstruse. department of physics. 3.7 million people. I encourage all Your reactions Now that Interactions has been These duties had an adverse Remembered by Nick Franks, head of members to have a go at doing separated out, I shall probably impact on his health and he took biophysics at Imperial College London. something in their region. Let me congratulate you on an abandon Physics World. One way to enthuse the public is to excellent first edition of Interactions. Unfortunately, I also find that the organise interactive events that they will This is a much-needed newsletter newspaper format of Interactions is a trend that has been developing for a We’d like to hear from you. Please e-mail enjoy taking part in, like games and and is long overdue. There has not complete turn-off. For me this tends number of years. your letters to [email protected] or send competitions. Perhaps you could been enough opportunity for to make my connection with the Colin Bemrose them by post to the address above. Letters organise a birthday party for Einstein on Institute members to express their Institute that much more tenuous – a Rugby, Warwickshire may be edited for space. 14 March during National Science Week, give a talk or participate in a local science festival. If you’re looking for more inspiration, there is a wealth of information, advice and details of how to run your event on the Einstein Year website (einsteinyear. org). You can also find out how to apply to the Institute’s grant scheme for help in financing your events (there is up to £1500 available per award). However you choose to contribute, good luck – the Institute is counting on you, its members, to make Einstein Year a huge success.

Sir John Enderby is president elect of the Institute. For more information visit www.einsteinyear.org.

Interactions September 2004 event horizon 7 To get listed here, go to whatson.iop.org and register your event What’s on in physics is the Institute’s online calendar for the physics community, with information on the many interesting meetings, lectures and conferences held throughout the UK and elsewhere.

SEPTEMBER 04 Fourth Simulation and Modelling 13–16 September Physical Society, Paris, France Physics Group, London, UK in Medicine www.dosgel.org 18 September 27 September DICE2004 Institute of Physics & Engineering in www.tcd.ie/Physics/Events/Paris_ http://conferences.iop.org/COM Castello di Piombino, Italy Medicine, York, UK Sixth Annual Conference of the meeting.php 1–4 September 7 September Yugoslav Materials Research Organic Semiconductor http://omnis.if.ufrj.br/~thomas/ E-mail: [email protected] Society Fourth International Conference YPC 2004 is the event to attend Conference DICE2004.html Yugoslav Materials Research on Inorganic Materials this year if you are a working Cintelliq Limited, Queen’s College, UK Polymer Showcase Society, Herceg-Novi, Montenegro Elsevier & Solid State Sciences, physicist under 32 or a physics Cambridge, UK Orkney International Science IRC in Polymer Science & 13–17 September Antwerp, Belgium student. It features lectures from 27–29 September Festival Technology, Wakefield, UK www.yu-mrs.org.yu/prod02.htm 19–21 September Simon Singh MBE and the www.cintelliq.com/conference.htm Orkney, UK 7–8 September www.im-conference.com Astronomer Royal for Scotland, 1–11 September www.physics.leeds.ac.uk/pages/ Printed Electronics skills workshops and site visits. Third South East Asian Congress www.osf.org.uk polymersandcomplexfluids Pira International, The Marriott International Conference on Fine For more information see of Medical Physics (SEACOMP) Kensington, London, UK Particle Magnetism http://yp.iop.org/ypc2004.htm. University of Malaya, Effective Communications Discrete Modelling & Data 14–15 September University College London, UK Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Skillstudio Ltd, London, UK Fitting www.piranet.com/training 20–22 September 27–29 September 3 & 20 September National Physical Laboratory, www.london-nano.ucl.ac.uk/lcn/ Dusty and Space Plasma Physics www.um.edu.my/seacomp3 www.skillstudio.co.uk/course/ Teddington, UK Visit to UKAEA Fusion index2.htm Workshop communications-intro.htm 8–9 September Institute of Physics Energy Universiteit Gent, Gent, Belgium Analysis Techniques for www.npl.co.uk/ssfm/training/ Management Group, Culham, UK Second International Conference 22–24 September Turbulent Plasmas Professional Development 2004 discrete_mod_data_fit.html 15 September on Materials Science and E-mail: [email protected] Copanello, Italy Institute of Physics, London, UK E-mail: [email protected] Condensed Matter Physics 27 September – 2 October 6–7 September Public speaking: Protocol for Institute of Applied Physics, SETT 2004 www.fis.unical.it/astroplasmi/ http://careers.iop.org/pdev/ being a Master of Ceremony Thin Film Characterisation Moldavian State University, Learning and Teaching Scotland & school04 pd2004.html CustomerClix, London, UK Workshop Chisinau, Moldova Emap Education, Glasgow, UK 9 September Aquila Instruments Ltd, Duxford, UK 21–26 September 22–23 September TUSLIP Day of Physics British Society of Strain www.CustomerClix.com/Training_ 15 September http://phys.asm.md/mscmp2004 www.settshow.com Institute of Physics in Scotland/ Measurement Conference 2004 courses_london.html www.aquila-instruments.com/news Tayside Universities Schools Liaison BSSM, York, UK Simon Memorial Prize Tutorial Day on Physical Acoustics in Physics Group, St Andrews, UK 6–8 September Profiting from Postgraduate 15th European Conference on Conference and Low Institute of Physics Physical 29 September www.bssm.org Talent – The future of the UK Diamond, Diamond-Like Temperature Group AGM Acoustics Group, London, UK www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~bds2/tuslip doctorate in an international Materials, Carbon Nanotubes, Institute of Physics Low 23 September Advances in Experimental market Nitrides & Silicon Carbide Temperature Group, London, UK http://conferences.iop.org/TDA CERN 50th Birthday Celebration Mechanics UK GRAD, London, UK Elsevier, Riva Del Garda, Italy 22 September Institute of Physics High Energy British Society for Strain 9 September 15–17 September http://conferences.iop.org/SPC Ropes, Cables and Chains: Particle Physics Group, Measurement, York, UK www.grad.ac.uk/conference2004/ www.diamond-conference. Theory and Applications London, UK 6–8 September intro.jsp elsevier.com Tribology in Sport Institute of Physics Stress and 29 September www.bssm.org/conferences.asp Institute of Physics Tribology Group, Vibration Group, Northampton, UK http://groups.iop.org/HE/cern.html International Conference of Cambridge Tribology Course – London, UK 23 September Photon04 Numerical Analysis and Applied friction, wear and lubrication 22 September http://groups.iop.org/sv 10th Annual Cambridge Glasgow Caledonian University, UK Mathematics Institute for Manufacturing, http://conferences.iop.org/TIS Technology Management 6–9 September University of Peloponnese, Chalkis, Cambridge, UK Third Iberian, Latin American Symposium: Emerging www.photon04.org Greece 15–17 September Public Service Summit: Science and Caribbean Congress of technologies: invention, 10–14 September www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/service/ & Innovation – Delivering Medical Physics innovation and implementation Identification of Dark Matter www.uop.gr/~icnaam events/info/tribology_course_ the ten-year investment ALFIM & ABFM, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil University of Cambridge Centre for University of Sheffield, 04.pdf framework 26–29 September Technology Management, Edinburgh, UK DOSGEL 2004: Third GovNet Communications, www.rio2004.org Cambridge, UK 6–10 September International Conference on History of Physics Conference London, UK 29–30 September www.shef.ac.uk/physics/idm2004. Radiotherapy Gel Dosimetry Institute of Physics History of 22 September Combustion Generated Noise www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/ctm/ html Gent, Belgium Physics Group & European www.govnet.co.uk/science Institute of Physics Combustion symposium

notices Announcements are free to Institute members. E-mail [email protected] or send to Interactions, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK; fax: +44 (0)20 7470 4991. NEW MEMBERS Stuart Pollitt, Lee Schroeder, ypaward2004.htm or e-mail iop.org/FuelCellReview.htm. Adebayo Aderolu, Anastasios Andrew Shaw, John Sherwood, [email protected]. ● Physics on Course 2005. Free Anastasiou, Parvinder Bansal, Colin Todd, Jeroen Van De Kamer. ● New industry award. copies of the Institute’s popular Anna Bent, Sarah Bridle, Applications invited for the Institute’s guide to higher education – Prof. Bhawani Chowdhry, IN MEMORIAM new award recognising best distributed to all schools and Glenn Christian, David Chung, Denis Beal, Graham Bennett, practice in university collaboration colleges in the UK and Ireland – are Anthony Clements, Fazilat Dar, Leah David Blow, John Champion, by a physics-based industry. Open now available. A must for anyone George, Tapas Haldar, Elizabeth Alan Cook, Ivor Davies, James to organisations that are members considering studying physics at Harvey, David Hills, Tracey Holmes, Dooley, John Hills, John Hughes, of the Institute’s Business Partners university. Contact Leila Solomon Thomas Horton, Michael Hutchinson, R F Johnston, David Marston, Network. Deadline: 1 December. at [email protected]. Hussein Jafer, Stefan Kaczmarczyk, G Milburn, Edward Paige, Further details at http://industry. David Lawton, James Magee, Max Perutz, John Pollard, iop.org or e-mail [email protected]. MEMBER NEWS Tracy Melvin, James Nicholson, Peter Pond, John Shaylor, ● Open consultation. The European Harry Coles has been appointed Linda O’Connor, Robert Poole, Ronald Small, Robin Smith, Commission has launched an open director of Cambridge University’s Brendan Ryan, Sarah Shepherd, Charles Spurgin, Alexander Wood. consultation on its communication Centre of Molecular Materials for Anton Shterenlikht, Sheila Slater, “Towards a European Strategy for Photonics and Electronics. Harvey Smith, William Stevens, WANTED Nanotechnology”. To encourage Stephen Powell has been Keith Stewart, Joseph Sultana, ● Young Professionals Award. wider participation, Nanoforum appointed president of the British Shane Toal, Clare Thomson, Applications invited for the (www.nanoforum.org) has created and Irish section of the Licensing Oleg Tischenko, Mark Vernon, Institute’s new award recognising an online questionnaire. Submit Executives Society. Christopher Weston, Mark Woolley. outstanding community work or responses by 30 September. increasing public awareness of FOR RENT NEW FELLOWS physics. Open to young physicists in MEMBER OFFERS Les Mesliers. Quiet, restful gite in Ibrahim Abdulhalim, industry, academia or elsewhere ● 25% discount on IOP books. northern Loire countryside between Frances Bagenal, Tobias Brandes, who have improved the public Visit http://bookmarkphysics. Mayenne and Le Mans. Plenty of Peter Dawson, Desmond Gibson, perception of physics, organised iop.org/25.htm. country walks, fishing, historical Stephanie Haywood, Jon Heffernan, events promoting physics in their ● 25% discount on OUP physics places, local restaurants. High up in Roger Hill, David Huckridge, local area, or have worked in and maths books. Visit http:// the Coevron hills – an ideal viewing M’hamed Lakrimi, Elfed Lewis, schools to aid understanding of members.iop.org/books.html. spot for keen astronomers. See Fabio Marchesoni, Patrick McNally, physics. Deadline 30 October. ● 25% discount on The Fuel Cell gite.mesliers.monsite.wanadoo.fr Jonathan Morgan, Kerry Parker, Further details at http://yp.iop.org/ Review. Visit http://members. or telephone +33 243 02 7906.

Interactions September 2004 8 matters Fact meets fantasy in His Dark Materials John Gribbin explains why a best-selling children’s series could be an excellent resource for physics teachers. Last year, the children’s trilogy His Dark Materials by (or the back of a wardrobe) – but it’s quite another mat- Philip Pullman knocked the Harry Potter books off the ter to use serious science to get to them. charts – and quite rightly, too. As anyone who’s read the In His Dark Materials, the windows between the books can attest, they are a fine read. But for all their worlds aren’t just there or created by magic, they’ve literary merits you might not think that the stories been cut into the fabric of space–time by a very special would be of much interest to physics teachers. But there knife with an infinitely thin edge (an intriguing topic for you’d be wrong. The trilogy is firmly rooted in real sci- discussion in itself). This single idea involves a mind- ence and offers a subtle way to introduce youngsters blowing array of subjects from the frontiers of science. to some of the most exciting ideas in physics. First, the idea of space–time as something that can be Pullman is a self-confessed science groupie, based in distorted, or even cut – straight out of the general Oxford, who has acquired a close familiarity with theory of relativity. Then the character using the knife, cutting-edge physics through a certain osmosis that Will, is taught to pick at the fabric of space–time by comes from living in that city. This knowledge under- “delicately searching out the gap between one stitch and pins the action and adventure in his best-selling series the next with the point of a scalpel.” This is nothing less and, because he feels for this stuff in his bones and isn’t than a development of the idea that quantum processes striving for effect, Pullman gets the details right. may make space–time “grainy” so it’s more like a woven

Take the “dark materials” of his title. At one level this cloth than a smooth rubber sheet. All images: Scholastic is indeed a mystic substance imbued with a life force. But there’s more. The threads that this space–time is But at another it is the actual dark matter being sought constructed from turn out to be superstrings – multi- The trilogy offers by astrophysicists. In the words of the character Mary dimensional entities folded over upon themselves and Malone, an Oxford physicist (or “experimental theo- compactified. Pullman isn’t so crass as to slow down a subtle way logian” in Pullman’s alternative universe): “There’s the action by describing any of this – it’s just there, in more stuff out there in the universe than we can see. the background. A child from a parallel world puts it to introduce That’s the point. We can see the stars and the galaxies like this: “Inside the smallest little bit there was all the and the things that shine, but for it all to hang together Spectres packed in twisted over and folded up so tight youngsters to some and not fly apart, there needs to be a lot more of it.” they took up no space at all. But once he cut it – bam! of the most exciting Where could you find a more succinct description of They whooshed out, and they been here ever since.” the nature of dark matter? Or a better jumping-off point Pullman shows young people exciting glimpses of ideas in physics. for a classroom discussion of modern cosmology? cutting-edge science and this is sure to fuel their enthu- Then there is the idea of parallel worlds. This idea pre- siasm for the subject, perhaps even making the drudg- dates physics, so in a sense there is nothing new in it. ery of learning the basics seem more worthwhile. But Pullman’s version is clearly inspired by quantum His Dark Materials is a gift to any teacher trying to fire the mechanics, including ideas such as Erwin Schrödinger’s imagination of budding physicists. It’s also a great story famous “dead-and-alive” cat and David Deutsch’s in itself and can be enjoyed by anyone from the age of explanation for that paradox. (He even includes a cat at 12 upwards. Certainly, no physicist need be ashamed to a critical stage in the plot – a hint for the cognoscenti!) be seen reading these books in the lab. It’s one thing to accept as a literary device that there might be other worlds, similar to but not quite the same John Gribbin is co-author of The Science of Philip Pullman’s His as ours, that you can access through a magic window Dark Materials and has written numerous popular-science books. particles Appearances aren’t deceptive In July Interactions posed its first physics puzzler: You are standing at the equator at sunrise. Where must you point a laser cannon to hit the Sun dead centre? (Assume that the Sun is stationary and the Earth’s orbit around it is circular.) And now for the solution: You aim it at the horizon. The Sun is exactly where it appears to be! It is true that the Sun wasn’t on the horizon 8 minutes ago when it emitted the light you are now seeing. However, “the Sun wasn’t on the horizon” doesn’t mean that the Sun moved; it means that the horizon moved. If you have an interesting puzzle that you’d like to share with fellow members, please send it to interactions@ iop.org. If yours gets published, we’ll send you a bottle of champagne or £30 worth of your choice of Institute of Physics merchandise.

Interactions September 2004