Alexander Prokhorov
Alexander Michael Prochoroff entered the world on the 11th of July 1916 at Russell Road in Peeramon, Queensland. His parents Mikhail Ivanovich and Maria Ivanovna had fled Russia to escape Tsarist repression. They raised their son near Butchers Creek, about thirty kilometers from Atherton. The family lived there until 1923 when they returned to the Soviet Union. This move occurred after the October Revolution and the end of the Russian Civil War. Young Alexander attended Butchers Creek State School before leaving Australia forever.
World War II began for him in June 1941 when he joined the Red Army infantry. He fought directly in battles where he sustained two separate wounds. Despite these injuries, he received three medals for his service during the conflict. One specific honor was the Medal For Courage awarded in 1946. He remained active until demobilization in 1944, a full year before the Allied victory. These combat experiences preceded his return to scientific work at the Lebedev Physical Institute.
Prokhorov started working on coherent radiation emitted by electrons in a synchrotron accelerator in 1947. His results showed emission concentrated mostly within the microwave spectral range. By 1950 he served as assistant chief of the oscillation laboratory. He formed a group focused on radiospectroscopy of molecular rotations and vibrations. Together with Nikolay Basov he developed theoretical grounds for a molecular oscillator. They constructed such a device based on ammonia gas. Their method used inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields to produce population inversion. Results first appeared at a national conference in 1952 but published later in 1954 or 1955.
In 1957 Prokhorov studied ruby while examining chromium-doped aluminium oxide lattices. He realized this material could serve as an active medium for laser technology. The following year he proposed an open type cavity design for resonators. This specific structure remains widely used today in optical systems. He also investigated relaxation times of iron group ions within crystal lattices. Later work included suggestions for lasers using two-quantum transitions alongside A. S. Selivanenko. These innovations laid the groundwork for modern quantum electronics research globally.
The Nobel Committee awarded him the Physics prize in 1964 alongside Charles Hard Townes and Nikolay Basov. Recognition came for fundamental work leading to the development of both masers and lasers. Prokhorov delivered his Nobel Lecture on the 11th of December 1964 regarding Quantum Electronics. This award elevated Soviet contributions to international scientific standing significantly. It spurred further global investment into quantum electronic devices and applications. The shared honor highlighted collaborative theoretical breakthroughs across different national laboratories.
Prokhorov became vice-director of the Lebedev Institute in 1968 before taking leadership elsewhere. In 1971 he headed a laboratory at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Between 1982 and 1998 he served as acting director of the General Physics Institute. After 1998 he held the title of honorary director until his death. He also edited the Great Soviet Encyclopedia starting in 1969. His administrative influence shaped the structure of Russian scientific institutions for decades. Five Orders of Lenin recognized his service between 1967 and 1986 alone.
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Common questions
When and where was Alexander Prokhorov born?
Alexander Michael Prochoroff entered the world on the 11th of July 1916 at Russell Road in Peeramon, Queensland. His parents Mikhail Ivanovich and Maria Ivanovna had fled Russia to escape Tsarist repression before raising their son near Butchers Creek.
What military service did Alexander Prokhorov perform during World War II?
World War II began for him in June 1941 when he joined the Red Army infantry and fought directly in battles where he sustained two separate wounds. He received three medals for his service including the Medal For Courage awarded in 1946 despite remaining active until demobilization in 1944.
How did Alexander Prokhorov contribute to laser technology development?
In 1957 Prokhorov studied ruby while examining chromium-doped aluminium oxide lattices and realized this material could serve as an active medium for laser technology. The following year he proposed an open type cavity design for resonators that remains widely used today in optical systems.
Who shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Alexander Prokhorov in 1964?
The Nobel Committee awarded him the Physics prize in 1964 alongside Charles Hard Townes and Nikolay Basov. Recognition came for fundamental work leading to the development of both masers and lasers.
When did Alexander Prokhorov die and what administrative roles did he hold after 1998?
Alexander Prokhorov held the title of honorary director at the General Physics Institute until his death after 1998. Between 1982 and 1998 he served as acting director of the General Physics Institute before taking on this final role.