Obituary: Les Allen
Professor Les Allen, who died earlier this month, was a pioneer of laser physics and an internationally renowned expert on the properties of laser light.
London born and educated, and a fan of Millwall FC, he saw himself standing out against the predominantly 'Oxbridge' atmosphere of Sussex's early days.
One of the first lecturers appointed to Sussex's new Physics division in 1963, Les swept in as a new broom, using charm and persuasiveness to get jobs done in record time.
With my help he established a laser laboratory (in a passage behind a large lecture theatre), producing results and publications earlier than anyone expected.
In teaching he aimed to bring in new methods, away from traditional 'chalk and talk'. He was the first to produce lecture notes for students, at a time before word processors or even fast photocopiers!
Practical laboratories had to be set up from scratch. New systems, aimed at synchronising experimental work with taught courses, were set up - with interesting, if not completely successful, results.
Les spent 23 years researching in laser physics and quantum optics at Sussex and during that period he published 85 original research papers and four books.
He also led a full public life outside the laboratory. A prominent member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and of the Labour Party, his activities - which included a week's jail following a demonstration in Norfolk - led Les into several brushes with the University authorities, for whom he held no high regard.
In 1985, Les moved on to be principal of the University of East London, but he certainly left his mark on Sussex's early years.
In 2009 the Institute of Physics awarded Les the prestigious Young Medal and Prize jointly with his co-worker and friend Professor Miles Padgett, of the University of Glasgow. An international accolade that can be awarded to physicists anywhere in the world, the medal is the premier award for work on optical and quantum-optical physics.
Dr Geoff Jones (Physics 1963-95)