July 14, 1932
Dr. H. K. Benson, Chairman
Division of Chemistry and Chemical Technology,
National Research Council, Washington.
Dear Dr. Benson:
The Grants-in-aid of $900 and $1000 which I received were used to pay half the salary of an assistant, Dr. J.H. Sturdivant. The principal work carried on during this time was the detailed planning of a special X-ray ionization spectrometer, for the very accurate measurement of intensities of reflection. This spectrometer is now under construction. In addition, investigations were made of the crystal structure of aluminum phosphate, beryllonite, and wolframite. None of this work has yet been published. The work on aluminum phosphate was especially interesting, for it was found that this crystal , AlPO4, has the same structure as quartz, SiO2, and shows the same inversion from a low to a high temperature form. A study is now being made of the properties of AlPO4, which may be valuable as a substitute for quarts. This work will soon be published, as well as that on beryllonite and wolframite. I am glad to say that Dr. Sturdivant is continuing his work, and we expect to obtain valuable data as soon as the spectrometer is completed. The intensity research has been long and difficult, and could not have been made without the Grant-in-Aid.
Very sincerely yours,
Linus Pauling
Professor of Chemistry
LP:M