September 19, 1939
Dr. Irvin Stewart, Director
Committee on Scientific Aids to Learning
21 East 42nd Street
New York, New York
Dear Dr. Stewart:
I am glad to give you my opinion of the program suggested by Dr. M.J. Buerger.
Dr. Buerger is a good research man, and he has shown interest in the development
of x-ray apparatus as well as in its application in structure determinations.
The proposed instrument for making Fourier syntheses by an optical method,
is, I think, well worth construction and trial. After the publication of Bragg's note
Dr. Hughes of this Laboratory suggested a device somewhat similar to Buerger's and
at that time we discussed the possible usefulness of the instrument. I do not think
that it will by itself be accurate enough for any modern crystal structure work, and
it will without doubt fall far below the demands of accuracy which we are making in
our amino acid and protein program. The optical device may, however, be very useful
as a rapid first step in investigations, to be followed by a more refined treatment.
I accordingly recommend that Dr. Buerger's project be given support.
Sincerely yours,
Linus Pauling
LP/jr
