Biography

Illya Ivanovich Zalyubovsky was born on June, 15, 1929 in Poltava Region. He entered the physical and mathematical faculty of the Kharkiv State (presently V. N. Karazin National University) in 1949. Since that day, Illya Ivanovich's life is inseparably linked with the University. Here he began his scientific activities (under the direction of academician A. K. Walter) in 1952. He combined scientific work with his postgraduate course studies, and later with teaching activity. In 1963?1965 he was the head of a group of scientists who were engaged in scientific work and preparation of top qualification specialists in the Atomic Center of Arab Republic of Egypt. In 1966 he defended the doctoral thesis. He is a professor now (since 1967). In 1968 he took part in scientific research and delivered lectures in the Manchester (formerly Rutherfordian) laboratory in UK. Since 1965 he is the head of the department of experimental nuclear physics, and since 1967 the Vise-rector for scientific work.

The first cycle of I. I. Zalyubovsky's scientific activities was dedicated to research of the processes of interaction between accelerated particles and atomic nuclei. The results of those activities, distinguished by inventiveness and highly systematic in character, not only stimulated the development of new theoretical models but substantially extended the possibilities of using nuclear reactions for experimental research of the atomic nucleus structure. I. I. Zalyubovsky managed to resolve the problem of measuring the nuclear static electromagnetic moment using the methods based on the angular correlation disturbance effect. These works, distinguished in 1983 by the K.D. Sinelnikov Prize from Ukraine's Academy of Sciences, find subsequent development in modern accelerators.

Since I. I. Zalyubovsky headed the department of experimental nuclear physics, the range of his scientific interests has broadened sharply. He has established new directions of research related to space physics, solid-state radiation physics and biophysics. On I. I. Zalyubovsky's initiative, the experimental methods of research of interaction between cosmic rays and the Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere develop intensively. At the very beginning of these research activities, a new physical phenomenon ? the effect of radio emission of extensive air showers of cosmic rays ? was discovered as a result of a series of high-precision experiments conducted under I. I. Zalyubovsky's guidance, whereupon the mechanism of its origin was studied in detail. These works were distinguished in 1971 by the Ukraine State Prize in the branch of science and technology.

Under I.I. Zalyubovsky's guidance, a powerful experimental base has been created in Kharkiv V. N. Karazin National University for solving the fundamental problems of solid-state radiation physics, material science, biophysics and medical physics, radiation tests and technologies, and microanalysis of matter. He was the organizer of the complex experimental research of interaction processes between radiation of diverse origin and energy with matters and materials, whereupon formerly unknown regularities and effects related to influence of radiation on the physical properties of metals, alloys, semiconductor and polymeric materials and biological objects have been discovered. In particular, the effect of acoustic signal multiplication excited by radiant fluxes in metals under the influence of statically stretching tensions has been discovered. It has been established that it is a general property of radiation acoustic effects in all possible combinations of matters and materials, and the very mechanism of sound generation caused by radiant fluxes is universal. The cycle of works on complex research of atomic nuclei and the processes of interaction of particles, nuclei, and radiation of different energy with matter was distinguished by the Yaroslav Mudry Prize in 1994.

I. I. Zalyubovsky's scientific style (which was formed as early as in the first phase of his entry into science) is characterized not only by depth and fundamentality of approaches but by close connection with the applied prospects. One of the most active periods of Illya Ivanovich's scientific activity is related to realization of scientific ideas and discoveries in his large-scale work on defense orders.

I. I. Zalyubovsky attaches much importance to improvement of scientific research organization. Today, the structural subdivisions created on Illya Ivanovich's initiative and headed by highly skilled specialists trained by I. I. Zalyubovsky continue the previously started research in collaboration with institutions of the National Academy of Sciences and National Space Agency of Ukraine, as well as with leading scientific nuclear and physical centers of other countries. In the network of international cooperation, the structure of exotic atomic nuclei is researched on heavy ion accelerators. Low-background experiments related to investigation of the neutrino nature, as well to search of the dark matter are conducted on highly sensitive installations developed in cooperation with the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia). A unique telescope of energetically charged particles, created by the University research workers (the Koronas-Photon project), successfully passes its tests on a Russian satellite. The research supervisor of all these works is I. I. Zalyubovsky.

Among the more than 400 scientific works published by I. I. Zalyubovsky there are 5 monographs, a textbook on nuclear physics and the unique Nuclear Spectroscopy tutorial for university students. The fourth edition of the Nuclear Physics textbook was distinguished in 1993 by the Ukraine State Prize.

The problem of training of the personnel for the new branches of physics has always been considered by I. I. Zalyubovsky as most important. Being the first dean of the applied-physics faculty of the Kharkiv State University, he performed great services in its organization and subsequent development. The experimental nuclear physics department headed by I. I. Zalyubovsky constantly carries out the search of new forms of improving the preparation of specialists in nuclear physics. Among I. I. Zalyubovsky's former students, there are 8 doctors and about 40 candidates of science.

I. I. Zalyubovsky gives much energy to organizational and social work. He was a member of the State Prize Committee of Ukraine, the Ukraine's government plenipotentiary representative in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and the vice-president of the Ukrainian Physical Society. For many years, he has been the Chairman of the Pro-Rectors Council on Scientific Work at the Department of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Head of the Scientific and Expert Council (professional direction "Physics") of the DES Scientific Problems Branch Methodological Council, the Head of the Professional Council for Licensing and Accreditation of Ukraine's Institutes of Higher Education (Natural Sciences), a member of National Academy of Sciences academic councils on nuclear physics and high-energy physics, the chairman of the specialized council on defense of doctor's and candidate's dissertations in the area of nuclear and elementary-particle physics, plasma physics and chemistry, the Nuclei, Particles, Fields magazine editor-in-chief, a member of the editorial board of the Ukrainian Physical Journal.

The Ukraine's Honored Science and Technology Worker, High Achiever in Ukraine's Public Education, twice a laureate of the Ukraine State Prize is a recipient of two Orders of Labor Red Flag, the Order of Merit (of all three degrees) and numerous medals.

The fruitful scientific, pedagogical and organizational activities of I. I. Zalyubovsky, his sincere goodwill and willingness to help have won him deep respect and love of his colleagues and students.