Rate My Professor A. W. Pryor

Arthur William Pryor, known professionally as A. W. Pryor, was an Australian physicist renowned for his contributions to crystallography, neutron diffraction, molecular laser isotope separation, and infrared laser isotope separation. A brilliant student at the University of Queensland where he studied Physics and Electrical Engineering, he completed his doctoral studies at Durham University. Pryor spent the majority of his career as a research scientist at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s Lucas Heights facility, advancing knowledge in underwater acoustics, neutron physics, and thermal physics. His work included pioneering neutron diffraction studies that elucidated atomic structures and lattice dynamics in various crystals. Notable publications include 'Neutron diffraction study of NH₄Br and NH₄I' (1970, with R. S. Seymour), 'The study of sodium nitrate by neutron diffraction' (1972, with G. L. Paul), 'Debye–Waller factors in crystals of the sodium chloride structure' (1966), 'The lattice dynamics of calcium fluoride' (1970, with M. M. Elcombe), and 'Collection and interpretation of neutron diffraction measurements on urea' (1970, with P. L. Sanger). He co-authored the influential book Thermal Vibrations in Crystallography (1975) with B. T. M. Willis, which remains a key reference in the field.

Pryor served as a Visiting Fellow in Physics at Macquarie University’s School of Mathematics and Physics, lecturing on atomic physics. He taught the undergraduate course PHYS242 from 1985 to 1995. His research excellence was recognized with the David Syme Research Prize in 1964, awarded by the University of Melbourne for the best scientific contribution in Australia that year, shared with colleagues from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, Pryor later developed interests in the historical and philosophical aspects of science and physics, sharing personal recollections of advanced uranium enrichment projects through publications and radio broadcasts on 2SER FM between 1980 and 1983. In honor of his legacy, the Dr Arthur Pryor Scholarship was established at Macquarie University with a donation from his family to support high-achieving students intending to major in Physics or Astronomy.