What is Aleksandr Prokhorov birthday?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was born at 1916-07-11

When was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was died at 2002-01-08

Where was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was died in Moscow, Russia

Which age was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was died at age 85

Where is Aleksandr Prokhorov's birth place?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was born in Atherton, Queensland, Australia

What is Aleksandr Prokhorov nationalities?

Aleksandr Prokhorov's nationalities is Russian

Who is Aleksandr Prokhorov spouses?

Aleksandr Prokhorov's spouses is Galina Shelepina

Who is Aleksandr Prokhorov childrens?

Aleksandr Prokhorov's childrens is Kiril

How famous is Aleksandr Prokhorov?

Aleksandr Prokhorov is famouse as Physicist

Aleksandr Prokhorov - Scientists, Birthday and Facts

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Aleksandr Prokhorov's Personal Details

Aleksandr Prokhorov was a Soviet physicist who earned the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work on laser-maser principle

Information	Detail
Birthday	July 11, 1916
Died on	January 8, 2002
Nationality	Russian
Famous	Scientists, Physicists
Spouses	Galina Shelepina
Known as	Alexander Mikhaylovich Prokhorov
Childrens	Kiril
Birth Place	Atherton, Queensland, Australia
Gender	Male
Sun Sign	Cancer
Born in	Atherton, Queensland, Australia
Famous as	Physicist
Died at Age	85

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Aleksandr Prokhorov's photo

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Who is Aleksandr Prokhorov?

Aleksandr Prokhorov was one of the frontrunners of Russian physics who earned a Nobel Prize in 1964 for developing the maser-laser principle. He shared the prize with Nikolay Basov and Charles Townes. Prokhorov studied at the Leningrad State University and later worked at the Lebedev Physical Institute. It was during the early 1950s that Prokhorov carried out his pioneering work on the maser-laser principle together with Nikolay Basov. He remained active in laser research and development for the rest of his life, working on solid-state lasers, fibre optics, and laser applications in medicine and environmental monitoring. Apart from his scientific research work, Prokhorov took up academic duties in various Soviet establishments. He served as a Professor of the Moscow State University. He was an acting director of the General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and later became an honorary director. He was also a member and one of the Honorary Presidents of the International Academy of Science, Munich.

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Childhood & Early Life

Aleksandr Prokhorov was born on July 11, 1916 in Atherton, Queensland, Australia to revolutionary Russian parents who had emigrated from Russia and were serving a period of exile in Australia.

Following the Great October Revolution, Prokhorov and his family shifted back to Russia where they originally belonged. In Russia, Prokhorov enrolled at the Leningrad State University to study physics. He graduated with honors from the same in 1939.

Career

Following his graduation, Aleksandr Prokhorov moved to Moscow where he started work in the oscillation laboratory at the Lebedev Physical Institute, under academician ND Papaleksi. At Lebedev Institute, Prokhorov studied the propagation of radio waves in ionosphere.

During the early 1940s, with the onset of World War II, he enrolled himself in the Red Army. He fought in the infantry. Three medals and two major wounds later, he returned to the oscillation laboratory at the Lebedev Institute in 1944 to continue with his study and research. He investigated nonlinear oscillations under Professor SM Rytov.

In 1946, he defended his PhD thesis on ‘Theory of Stabilization of Frequency of a Tube Oscillator in the Theory of a Small Parameter’. The following year, he started working on coherent radiation emitted by electrons orbiting in a cyclic particle accelerator called synchrotron. He demonstrated that the emission is mostly concentrated in the microwave spectral range.

His study of the coherent radiation of electrons in the synchrotron in the region of centimetre waves formed the basis of his 1951 PhD thesis ‘Coherent Radiation of Electrons in Synchotron Accelerator’. Meanwhile, by 1950, Prokhorov was made assistant chief of the oscillation laboratory. Nikolay Basov was one of his students.

As an assistant chief, he formed a group of students and started working on radiospectroscopy of molecular rotations and vibrations. He later concentrated his study on quantum electronics. The group based much of their theoretical and practical study on a special class of molecules which had three non-degenerated moments of inertia.

The development of radar during wartime had made microwave equipment readily available. Much like his American and British counterparts who had started using the microwave equipment to study how atoms and molecules responded to microwave frequencies, Prokhorov too studied the same. Along with Basov, he began experimenting with beams of molecules which were all moving at a uniform velocity.

By 1954, he became the head of the laboratory. Subsequently, he, along with Basov, found that they could isolate molecules that were in an excited state in a separate beam. This gave them their biggest breakthrough. When extra energy from excited molecules was released in the form of a microwave, unexcited molecules absorbed the wave. However, if most molecules were excited, the microwave would stimulate other molecules to emit their energy at the same wavelength

Prokhorov and Basov also found that when molecular beam passed through a suitable microwave resonator, the emission built up on its own, or oscillated, generating microwaves that were aligned in phase and at the same wavelength. Analysing the process in detail, they published their findings in 1954.

The research work carried out by Prokhorov and Basov in the field of microwave spectroscopy resulted in the idea of a molecular oscillator. They developed theoretical grounds for creation of a molecular oscillator and also constructed a molecular oscillator operating on ammonia. In 1955, the duo came up with a method for the production of a negative absorption which was called the pumping method.

In 1955, he commenced his research in the field of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). He carried out a cycle of investigations of EPR spectra and relaxation time in various crystals, primarily focussing on investigations on ions of the iron group elements in the lattice of aluminium oxide. He also investigated other, ‘non-optical’ topics, such as magnetic phase transitions in DPPH

While researching in the field of EPR, he collaterally studied the EPR spectra of ruby with A.A Manenkov. In 1957, he was struck with the idea of using ruby as a material for laser. He designed and constructed this new type of laser resonator called maser, using various materials. Most of his research on masers was done in cooperation with the laboratory of radiospectroscopy at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at Moscow University

In 1958, he suggested a laser for generation of far-infrared waves. As a resonator it was proposed to use a new type of cavity which was eventually named ‘the cavity of an open type’. Similar cavities are widely used in lasers.

In 1959, he was appointed as the professor at the Moscow State University, the most prestigious university in Soviet Union.

In 1968, he took up the position of Vice Director at the Lebedev Institute and later in 1971, the position of Head of the Laboratory at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

From 1982 to 1998, he served as the Acting Director of the General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. From 1988, he was promoted as an Honorary Director.

During his lifetime Prokhorov was a member and one of the Honorary Presidents of the International Academy of Science, Munich. In 1993, he supported the foundation and development of the Russian Section of International Academy of Science, Moscow.

Major Works

The heart of Prokhorov’s research work came during the early 1950s when he along with his collaborators investigated molecular structures by the methods of microwave spectroscopy. Together with Basov, he began experimenting with beam of molecules that were moving at a uniform velocity with an aim to improve the resolution of their microwave measurements. The duo found out that they could isolate molecules that were in an excited state in a separate beam, leading to a breakthrough.

They also discovered that if the molecular beam passed through a suitable microwave resonator, the emission would build up on its own, or oscillate, ultimately generating microwaves aligned in phase and at the same wavelength. Their pioneering work on lasers and maser eventually earned them a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964.

Awards & Achievements

In 1959, Prokhorov was awarded the Lenin Prize.

In 1960, he was appointed as a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Six years later in 1966, he was elected as an academician.

In 1964, Prokhorov was awarded Nobel Prize in Physics, which He shared with Nikolay Basov and Charles Townes. The trio received the award for their fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics which led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on maser-laser principle.

He became a Hero of Socialist Labour, the highest degree of distinction in the Soviet Union for achievements in national economy and culture, twice in 1969 and 1986.

In 1971, he was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2000, he received the Frederic Ives Medal, the highest distinction of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Following year, he became an honorary OSA member. Simultaneously, he also received the Demidov Prize.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1941, Prokhorov married geographer Galina Shelepina. The couple as blessed with a son, Kiril, in 1945. Kiril followed the footstapes of his father and has become a physicist in the field of optics. Currently, he leads a laser-related laboratory at the A. M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute.

Prokhorov breathed his last on January 8, 2002 in Moscow, Russia.

The Russian Academy of Sciences, where Prokhorov served as an honorary director, was reamed A. M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, following his death.

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Aleksandr Prokhorov's awards

Year	Name	Award
Other
0	1964 Nobel Prize in Physics
0	1987 Lomonosov Gold Medal

Aleksandr Prokhorov biography timelines

// 11th Jul 1916
Aleksandr Prokhorov was born on July 11, 1916 in Atherton, Queensland, Australia to revolutionary Russian parents who had emigrated from Russia and were serving a period of exile in Australia.
// 1939
Following the Great October Revolution, Prokhorov and his family shifted back to Russia where they originally belonged. In Russia, Prokhorov enrolled at the Leningrad State University to study physics. He graduated with honors from the same in 1939.
// 1941
In 1941, Prokhorov married geographer Galina Shelepina. The couple as blessed with a son, Kiril, in 1945. Kiril followed the footstapes of his father and has become a physicist in the field of optics. Currently, he leads a laser-related laboratory at the A. M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute.
// 1944
During the early 1940s, with the onset of World War II, he enrolled himself in the Red Army. He fought in the infantry. Three medals and two major wounds later, he returned to the oscillation laboratory at the Lebedev Institute in 1944 to continue with his study and research. He investigated nonlinear oscillations under Professor SM Rytov.
// 1946
In 1946, he defended his PhD thesis on ‘Theory of Stabilization of Frequency of a Tube Oscillator in the Theory of a Small Parameter’. The following year, he started working on coherent radiation emitted by electrons orbiting in a cyclic particle accelerator called synchrotron. He demonstrated that the emission is mostly concentrated in the microwave spectral range.
// 1950 To 1951
His study of the coherent radiation of electrons in the synchrotron in the region of centimetre waves formed the basis of his 1951 PhD thesis ‘Coherent Radiation of Electrons in Synchotron Accelerator’. Meanwhile, by 1950, Prokhorov was made assistant chief of the oscillation laboratory. Nikolay Basov was one of his students.
// 1954
By 1954, he became the head of the laboratory. Subsequently, he, along with Basov, found that they could isolate molecules that were in an excited state in a separate beam. This gave them their biggest breakthrough. When extra energy from excited molecules was released in the form of a microwave, unexcited molecules absorbed the wave. However, if most molecules were excited, the microwave would stimulate other molecules to emit their energy at the same wavelength
// 1954
Prokhorov and Basov also found that when molecular beam passed through a suitable microwave resonator, the emission built up on its own, or oscillated, generating microwaves that were aligned in phase and at the same wavelength. Analysing the process in detail, they published their findings in 1954.
// 1955
The research work carried out by Prokhorov and Basov in the field of microwave spectroscopy resulted in the idea of a molecular oscillator. They developed theoretical grounds for creation of a molecular oscillator and also constructed a molecular oscillator operating on ammonia. In 1955, the duo came up with a method for the production of a negative absorption which was called the pumping method.
// 1955
In 1955, he commenced his research in the field of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). He carried out a cycle of investigations of EPR spectra and relaxation time in various crystals, primarily focussing on investigations on ions of the iron group elements in the lattice of aluminium oxide. He also investigated other, ‘non-optical’ topics, such as magnetic phase transitions in DPPH
// 1957
While researching in the field of EPR, he collaterally studied the EPR spectra of ruby with A.A Manenkov. In 1957, he was struck with the idea of using ruby as a material for laser. He designed and constructed this new type of laser resonator called maser, using various materials. Most of his research on masers was done in cooperation with the laboratory of radiospectroscopy at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at Moscow University
// 1958
In 1958, he suggested a laser for generation of far-infrared waves. As a resonator it was proposed to use a new type of cavity which was eventually named ‘the cavity of an open type’. Similar cavities are widely used in lasers.
// 1959
In 1959, Prokhorov was awarded the Lenin Prize.
// 1960 To 1966
In 1960, he was appointed as a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Six years later in 1966, he was elected as an academician.
// 1964
They also discovered that if the molecular beam passed through a suitable microwave resonator, the emission would build up on its own, or oscillate, ultimately generating microwaves aligned in phase and at the same wavelength. Their pioneering work on lasers and maser eventually earned them a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964.
// 1964
In 1964, Prokhorov was awarded Nobel Prize in Physics, which He shared with Nikolay Basov and Charles Townes. The trio received the award for their fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics which led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on maser-laser principle.
// 1969 To 1986
He became a Hero of Socialist Labour, the highest degree of distinction in the Soviet Union for achievements in national economy and culture, twice in 1969 and 1986.
// 1971
In 1971, he was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
// 1993
During his lifetime Prokhorov was a member and one of the Honorary Presidents of the International Academy of Science, Munich. In 1993, he supported the foundation and development of the Russian Section of International Academy of Science, Moscow.
// 2000
In 2000, he received the Frederic Ives Medal, the highest distinction of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Following year, he became an honorary OSA member. Simultaneously, he also received the Demidov Prize.
// 8th Jan 2002
Prokhorov breathed his last on January 8, 2002 in Moscow, Russia.

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Aleksandr Prokhorov's FAQ

What is Aleksandr Prokhorov birthday?
Aleksandr Prokhorov was born at 1916-07-11
When was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?
Aleksandr Prokhorov was died at 2002-01-08
Where was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?
Aleksandr Prokhorov was died in Moscow, Russia
Which age was Aleksandr Prokhorov died?
Aleksandr Prokhorov was died at age 85
Where is Aleksandr Prokhorov's birth place?
Aleksandr Prokhorov was born in Atherton, Queensland, Australia
What is Aleksandr Prokhorov nationalities?
Aleksandr Prokhorov's nationalities is Russian
Who is Aleksandr Prokhorov spouses?
Aleksandr Prokhorov's spouses is Galina Shelepina
Who is Aleksandr Prokhorov childrens?
Aleksandr Prokhorov's childrens is Kiril
What is Aleksandr Prokhorov's sun sign?
Aleksandr Prokhorov is Cancer
How famous is Aleksandr Prokhorov?
Aleksandr Prokhorov is famouse as Physicist