An interview with Professor Robert (Bob) Crompton AM FAA in conversation with Professor Erich Weigold was recently posted to the Academy website.
Crompton's early interests in building electric gramophones, clocks and motors to power his toys helped to develop his early interests in science. After reaching top of the school in physics and securing a coveted cadetship at The University of Adelaide, Crompton went on to become a world renowned researcher in the world of electron swarm physics.
In his interview Crompton describes the struggles of conducting research in post-war conditions, building and maintaining laboratory equipment and much-loved motor cars, and determining the energy cross sections of electrons in hydrogen isotopes - results which still serve as benchmark measurements today.
The full interview can be seen on the Academy’s YouTube channel, available at:
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