Iosif B. Khriplovich
(23.01.1937 - 26.09.2024)
Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Iosif Bentsionovich Khriplovich was born on January 23, 1937 in Kiev. In 1954, he entered the Physics Department of Kiev State University (KSU). After graduating from KSU in 1959, I.B. Khriplovich entered the PhD program of the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) of the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences, where he worked until 2014, having worked his way up from a PhD student (under supevision of V.N. Baier) to the chief researcher of the theoretical department. While working at the INP, I. B. Khriplovich taught part-time at Novosibirsk State University (NSU), where from 1998 to 2009 he headed the Theoretical Physics Division at the Department of Physics. Since 2014, Iosif Bentsionovich had been a professor at the Quantum Mechanics Division at St. Petersburg State University.
I.B. Khriplovich's scientific interests ranged from nuclear physics to the general theory of relativity. His results in quantum field theory, gravity theory, cosmology, and other fields have long become classics that new generations of physicists are learning from. His first scientific work, carried out in 1960 and devoted to neutral currents in weak interactions, determined one of the main areas of his scientific interests - physics of high energies and elementary particles. Later, he obtained important results in the theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions, in the gauge theories and the theory of gravity. In 1969, he was the first to demonstrate charge anti-screening in the non-Abelian Yang-Mills gauge theories by calculating the beta function in these theories. This result subsequently formed the basis of our understanding of the nature of strong interactions. These works brought I.B. Khriplovich wide international recognition.
In 1974, Iosif Benzionovich theoretically proposed and calculated an optical experiment to detect non-conservation of parity in atoms due to the mechanism of weak interaction of electrons with nucleons. This experiment was successfully carried out later by L. M. Barkov and M. S. Zolotarev (INP SB RAS) in precision measurements of the rotation of the plane of polarization of light in atomic bismuth vapor. This was the first experimental confirmation of neutral weak currents describing the direct interaction of electrons with nucleons. The works of Iosif Bentsionovich have made a significant contribution to the search for physical manifestations of violations of fundamental symmetries in processes involving elementary particles and atomic nuclei. He has performed a number of important studies on the dynamics of spin particles in the gravitational field, as well as the physics of black holes. The work of I.B. Khriplovich and his students also contributed to the development of new methods in the theory of many-electron atoms.
Iosif Bentsionovich successfully combined his scientific work with teaching. For many years, he was one of the most popular lecturers at Novosibirsk State University. As a professor at the Theoretical Physics Division at NSU, Iosif Bentsionovich developed and taught original courses in quantum mechanics, theory of weak interactions, and general relativity. Excellent textbooks on quantum mechanics (jointly with V.G. Serbo), general relativity, and selected issues of theoretical physics have been written and published in these courses. He is also the author of two monographs. Since 2014, Iosif Bentsionovich had been a professor at the Quantum Mechanics Division at St. Petersburg State University.
Iosif Bentsionovich's creative energy, deep knowledge and pedagogical talent allowed him to create a scientific school that educated a whole galaxy of candidates and doctors of sciences, many of whom occupy leading positions in major scientific centers.
Iosif Benzionovich regularly gave invited talks at the most prestigious international conferences. His deep understanding of physics and broad outlook made him an indispensable expert when discussing various scientific problems. And given his benevolence and wit, discussions with him enriched the interlocutor not only with new scientific knowledge and ideas, but also brought great pleasure.
The achievements of I.B. Khriplovich were recognized by the Dirac Medal, awarded jointly by the Australian Institute of Physics and the University of New South Wales, and the I.Ya. Pomeranchuk Prize, awarded for work in the field of theoretical physics.
The works of Iosif Bentsionovich Khriplovich will forever be included in the golden fund of physics. The bright image of this outstanding scientist and wonderful person will forever remain in the hearts of his friends, colleagues and students.