Frank Farmer (physicist)

Frank Farmer (1913-2004) was a British medical physicist renowned for his significant contributions to the field of radiation dosimetry. He is particularly known for his development of the Farmer ionization chamber, a widely used instrument for measuring the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation, especially in radiotherapy.

Farmer's academic background included studies at King's College London. His career spanned several key institutions, including the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute in Manchester, where he served as head of the physics department for many years.

Beyond the Farmer chamber, his research encompassed a broad range of topics within medical physics, including the effects of radiation on biological tissues, the optimization of radiotherapy treatment planning, and the development of other dosimetry techniques. He was a strong advocate for the application of physics principles to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Farmer was a respected figure in the international medical physics community, receiving numerous awards and honors for his pioneering work. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the practice of radiotherapy and continue to influence the development of new dosimetry methods. He is remembered for his meticulous approach to scientific investigation and his dedication to the advancement of medical physics.