David Maurice Brink. 20 July 1930—8 March 2021. (7th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sukumar, C. V.; Bonaccorso, A.
• Is Part Of: Biographical memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. Volume 73(2022)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2022-12-07
• Subjects: Scientists -- Obituaries -- Periodicals; Scientists -- Great Britain -- Obituaries -- Periodicals; Biography -- Periodicals; 509.2241
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbm.2022.0020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0080-4606

Abstract

Abstract : David Brink was one of the leading theoretical nuclear physicists of his generation. He made major contributions to the study of all aspects of nuclear physics, embracing nuclear structure, nuclear scattering and nuclear instability. His wide-ranging interests and interactions with theorists and experimentalists alike helped him in providing theoretical analysis and interpretations and suggesting experiments. He had the gift of visualizing complex problems in simple terms and provided clear analysis of the underlying processes. He was an expert on the use of semi-classical methods that provided an intuitively clear picture of complex phenomena. His research work and books are characterized by scientific clarity, transparency and depth. David possessed outstanding skills in mathematical computation, and he was an expert on special functions, group theory and the Feynman path integral method. David had many research students and collaborated with a large number of scientists from across the world, for whom he was a source of scientific and human inspiration and admiration. His most fundamental belief was that research was a means of trying to discover and understand the beauties of nature and explain them in simple terms to others. His absolute belief in the value of truth and his unselfish and generous attitude in sharing knowledge makes him an outstanding figure in contemporary nuclear physics.