Theoretical studies at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow): Past, present, and future
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E 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTITUTE OF THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS (ITEP, MOSCOW) ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
Theoretical Studies at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow): Past, Present, and Future L. B. Okun Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Bol’shaya Cheremushkinskaya ul. 25, Moscow, 117218 Russia Received August 18, 2005
Abstract—Basic results obtained by theorical physicists at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow) over the 60 years of its existence are reviewed. PACS numbers : 01.65.+q DOI: 10.1134/S1063778806100103
1. LANDAU AND POMERANCHUK L.D. Landau and I.Ya. Pomeranchuk initiated investigations into theoretical physics at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow).1) Landau was head of the theoretical department from December 1945 to June 1946 (he combined two jobs: his main occupation was at the Institute for Physics Problems, where he headed the theoretical department). Pomeranchuk replaced Landau in June 1946 and headed the theoretical department until his death in December 1966. Pomeranchuk himself and all members of his team kept close contacts with Landau: they participated in his Thursday weekly seminars at the Institute for Physics Problems and discussed their studies with him. Some of the ITEP theorists passed examinations within the famous Landau theoretical minimum. Landau himself regularly took an active part in the Wednesday weekly seminar held by the ITEP director A.I. Alikhanov and, after each seminar, had discussions with theorists. (This took place in one room.) This lasted until 1958, when, during just another “establishment of order,” the government prohibited 1)
When established, ITEP was named Laboratory no. 3; starting from 1949, it was known as the Heat Engineering Laboratory, USSR Academy of Sciences; in 1958, it became the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics. Landau (1908–1968) was elected to full membership in the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1943; I.Ya. Pomeranchuk (1913– 1966) was nominated a professor in 1947 and was elected to corresponding membership in the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1953 and to full membership in the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1964.
the occupation of more than one position by scientists. (Ya.B. Zeldovich, who had his second position at ITEP, was dismissed in the same period.) However, ITEP theorists continued attending the seminar at the Institute for Physics Problems until a car crash in January 1962 tragically cut short the scientific activity of Landau. 2. REACTORS AND ACCELERATORS At the moment when Pomeranchuk was appointed as head of the ITEP theoretical department, the range of his scientific interests was very broad (see [1, 2]). It embraced investigations into solidstate physics; cosmic rays; magnetic bremsstrahlung from relativistic electrons [3–5]; the properties of 3 He and 4 He at low temperatures [6–8]; quantum electrodynamics (atomic levels for Z > 137 [9] and positronium theory [10, 11]); and, of course, nucle
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