Vladimir Veksler
Encyclopedia
Vladimir Iosifovich Veksler (March 3, 1907, Zhitomir, Russian Empire
(now Zhytomyr, Republic of Ukraine
) — September 22, 1966, Moscow
, USSR) was a prominent Soviet experimental physicist.
Veksler's family moved from Zhitomir to Moscow in 1915. In 1931 he graduated from the Moscow Power Engineering Institute
. Since 1936 he worked in Lebedev Physical Institute
, being involved in particle detector development and study of cosmic ray
s. He participated in a number of expeditions to Pamir Mountains
and Elbrus devoted to study of cosmic ray
composition. Since 1944 he worked in the field of particle acceleration
technique; he became famous for formulation of the basic principles of modern particle accelerator
design, that led to development of the synchrocyclotron
. In 1956 he established and became the first director of the Laboratory of High Energy at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
in Dubna
, where, along with Protvino
, the largest circular proton accelerators in the world at their time, were constructed under his leadership.
He was a corresponding member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences since 1946 and a full member since 1958. Since 1963 he has the head of the Nuclear Physics Department of the Academy. Since 1965 he was the editor-in-chief of the journal "Nuclear Physics" (Yadernaya Fizika).
He received numerous honours, including Lenin Prize
(1959), USSR State Prize
(1963) and the American Atoms for Peace Award
(1963).
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
(now Zhytomyr, Republic of Ukraine
Zhytomyr
Zhytomyr is a city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomyr Raion...
) — September 22, 1966, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, USSR) was a prominent Soviet experimental physicist.
Veksler's family moved from Zhitomir to Moscow in 1915. In 1931 he graduated from the Moscow Power Engineering Institute
Moscow Power Engineering Institute
Moscow Power Engineering Institute is one of the largest and leading technical universities in the world in the area of power engineering, electronics and IT...
. Since 1936 he worked in Lebedev Physical Institute
Lebedev Physical Institute
The Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences , situated in Moscow, is one of the leading Russian research institutes specializing in physics. It is also one of the oldest research institutions in Russia: its history dates back to a collection of physics equipment established by...
, being involved in particle detector development and study of cosmic ray
Cosmic ray
Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
s. He participated in a number of expeditions to Pamir Mountains
Pamir Mountains
The Pamir Mountains are a mountain range in Central Asia formed by the junction or knot of the Himalayas, Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains and since Victorian times they have been known as the "Roof of the World" a probable...
and Elbrus devoted to study of cosmic ray
Cosmic ray
Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
composition. Since 1944 he worked in the field of particle acceleration
Particle acceleration
In a compressible sound transmission medium - mainly air - air particles get an accelerated motion: the particle acceleration or sound acceleration with the symbol a in metre/second². In acoustics or physics, acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. It is thus a vector...
technique; he became famous for formulation of the basic principles of modern particle accelerator
Particle accelerator
A particle accelerator is a device that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and to contain them in well-defined beams. An ordinary CRT television set is a simple form of accelerator. There are two basic types: electrostatic and oscillating field accelerators.In...
design, that led to development of the synchrocyclotron
Synchrocyclotron
A synchrocyclotron is a cyclotron in which the frequency of the driving RF electric field is varied to compensate for relativistic effects as the particles' velocity begins to approach the speed of light...
. In 1956 he established and became the first director of the Laboratory of High Energy at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, JINR , in Dubna, Moscow Oblast , Russia, is an international research centre for nuclear sciences, with 5500 staff members, 1200 researchers including 1000 Ph.D.s from eighteen member states The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, JINR , in Dubna, Moscow...
in Dubna
Dubna
Dubna is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia. It has a status of naukograd , being home to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, an international nuclear physics research centre and one of the largest scientific foundations in the country. It is also home to MKB Raduga, a defence aerospace company...
, where, along with Protvino
Protvino
Protvino is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located about south of Moscow and west of Serpukhov, on the left bank of the Protva River. Population: -History:...
, the largest circular proton accelerators in the world at their time, were constructed under his leadership.
He was a corresponding member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences since 1946 and a full member since 1958. Since 1963 he has the head of the Nuclear Physics Department of the Academy. Since 1965 he was the editor-in-chief of the journal "Nuclear Physics" (Yadernaya Fizika).
He received numerous honours, including Lenin Prize
Lenin Prize
The Lenin Prize was one of the most prestigious awards of the USSR, presented to individuals for accomplishments relating to science, literature, arts, architecture, and technology. It was created on June 23, 1925 and was awarded until 1934. During the period from 1935 to 1956, the Lenin Prize was...
(1959), USSR State Prize
USSR State Prize
The USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
(1963) and the American Atoms for Peace Award
Atoms for Peace Award
The Atoms for Peace Award was established in 1955 through a grant of $1,000,000 by the Ford Motor Company Fund. An independent nonprofit corporation was set up to administer the award for the development or application of peaceful nuclear technology. It was created in response to U.S. President...
(1963).