Icons of Russian Physics: From the Lebedev Scientific School in Physics to the Lebedev Physical Institute

Russian science icon, Pyotr Lebedev, is well known for first proving the existence of light pressure by measuring its action on both solids and gases. His experiments are discussed here as well as comparison with later, independent light-pressure measurements in solids by Nichols and Hull and European scientists. These light pressure experiments were the first steps of Lebedev's programme in unravelling the effects of light on atoms and molecules, as well as the intermolecular forces due to radiation. His students completed this programme and realised his dream of launching a research institute. The Lebedev Physical Institute founded by Vavilov, throughout its history described here, set great scientific milestones. Seven Nobel laureates used to work in this institute: Cherenkov, Frank, Tamm (1958), Basov and Prokhorov (1964), Sakharov (1975), Ginzburg (2003). Mandelstam is named 'the forefather' of theoretical physics in Moscow. Letokhov is one more prominent figure who extended Lebedev's light-pressure experiments and demonstrated experimentally for the first time the laser cooling of atoms.