Theoreticians at the Physical-Technical Institute (To the centennial of the Ioffe Institute)

TL;DR

This paper celebrates the centennial of the Ioffe Institute by reviewing its theorists' significant contributions to physics, highlighting research achievements, influential schools, and cultural activities over a century.

Contribution

It provides a concise overview of the institute's theoretical research achievements and its impact on physics and scientific culture over 100 years.

Findings

Significant contributions in particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear theory, and atomic physics.

Persistent high-level research despite relocations of theorists.

Examples of theorists' activities beyond their specialization.

Abstract

Dedicated to the centenary of the Ioffe Institute, the article contains the shortest review of scientific achievements of the theorists of the institute during this time. We concentrate mainly on research in the field of elementary particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear theory and atoms. To obtain very important scientific results became possible because outstanding theoreticians worked at this Institute. The high level of research persisted in spite of several mass moves of theorists - then to Kharkov, then to Moscow, then abroad. The author can testify to the atmosphere that reigned in the FTI in person, since he works at this institute since 1958. The article deals not only with research activity, but also with the famous physics schools and their outstanding cultural programs. We present also examples of extraordinary successful activity of theorists far beyond the field of their narrow specialization.