# Alexander Prokhorov

_Soviet and Russian physicist (1916-2002)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/alexander-prokhorov
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> Alexander Mikhailovich Prokhorov was an Australian-born Soviet physicist and researcher whose work focused on quantum electronics. His most famous and well-known works were on optics and electromagnetic research. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964 with Charles Hard Townes and Nikolay Basov for his fundamental work that led to the development of the laser and the maser.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 11 July 1916 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Atherton ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P19))
- **Died:** 8 January 2002 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P570))
- **Place of death:** Moscow ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Soviet Union; Russia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P27))
- **Occupation:** physicist; university teacher; editor ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P106))
- **Political party:** Communist Party of the Soviet Union (since 1950) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P102))
- **Education:** Faculty of Physics, State University of Saint Petersbourg; Lebedev Physical Institute; Saint Petersburg State University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P69))
- **Spouse:** Galina Shelepina ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P26))
- **Positions held:** editor-in-chief ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P39))
- **Awards:** USSR State Prize; Order of Lenin; Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"; Hero of Socialist Labour; Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class; Nobel Prize in Physics; Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class; Lenin Prize; Medal "For Courage"; Medal "Veteran of Labour"; Lomonosov Gold Medal; Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"; Helmholtz Medal; Frederic Ives Medal; Medal "For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552#P166))

## Questions

**When was Alexander Prokhorov born?**  
Alexander Prokhorov was born on 11 July 1916 in Atherton.

**What positions has Alexander Prokhorov held?**  
Positions held by Alexander Prokhorov include: editor-in-chief.

**Where did Alexander Prokhorov study?**  
Alexander Prokhorov was educated at Faculty of Physics, State University of Saint Petersbourg, Lebedev Physical Institute, Saint Petersburg State University.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Alexander Prokhorov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Prokhorov) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q83552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83552) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Aleksandr Prokhorov.jpg by Nobel foundation (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aleksandr_Prokhorov.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Alexander Prokhorov, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Aleksandr Prokhorov.jpg — Nobel foundation, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Alexander Prokhorov". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/alexander-prokhorov. Retrieved 4 November 2026.