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Igor Tamm

Theorist of Quantum Physics

Igor Yevgenyevich Tamm (1895–1971) was a Nobel Prize-winning Soviet physicist. He co-developed the explanation of the Cherenkov effect and contributed to nuclear fusion theory.

Contributions

• Cherenkov Radiation — Explained the emission of light when charged particles move faster than light in a medium.
• Quantum Theory — Worked on solid-state physics and relativistic wave equations.
• Fusion Research — Proposed the tokamak design for controlled thermonuclear reactions.

Legacy

Tamm’s work bridged theoretical and applied physics. His Cherenkov explanation, alongside Cherenkov and Frank, earned him the Nobel Prize in 1958. His tokamak idea remains the basis for fusion research worldwide.

Facts

• Born in Vladivostok, Russia.
• Nobel Prize in Physics, 1958.
• Co-inventor of tokamak concept.
• Mentor to Andrei Sakharov.