Alexander Edgar Douglas
Alexander Edgar Douglas, FRSC FRS (12 April 1916, in Melfort, Saskatchewan – 26 July 1981, in Ottawa) was a Canadian physicist, known for his work in molecular spectroscopy. He was president of the Canadian Association of Physicists in 1975–1976.[1]
Biography
Born on a farm in
A. E. Douglas was the first to observe the spectra of B2, Si2, CH+, SiH+, NF, PF, BN, CN+ and many other diatomic or triatomic molecules. He first identified the 4050 group of lines observed in comets as being due to the C3 molecule. Using a method that he developed, Douglas made the first studies of the Zeeman effect in polyatomic molecules.[2]
According to Gerhard Herzberg:[2]
One of Douglas' most important contributions was his recognition of the reason for "anomalous lifetimes," that is, the failure of a simple relationship between absorption coefficient and lifetime to account for lifetimes in such compounds as NO2, SO2, C6H6. This phenomenon, referred to in the most recent literature as the Douglas effect, is closely connected with internal conversion in larger molecules.
In astrophysical applications of molecular spectroscopy, Douglas is known for his identification of interstellar CH+ and of cometary C3 and for the reproduction in the laboratory of the Meinel bands of N2+ and other spectra.[2][3][4]
Honours and awards
- 1956 – Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
- 1970 – Medal for Achievement in Physics from the Canadian Association of Physicists
- 1979 – Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London
- 1980 – International meeting on molecular spectroscopy sponsored in June in honour of A. E. Douglas by the NRC
- 1981 – Henry Marshall Tory Medal
References
- ^ "Alexander Edgar Douglas". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ .
- .
- doi:10.1086/145703.