21 May 2011 would have marked the 90th birthday of Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov, a towering 20th-century figure in science and human thought, whose ideas, research contributions, and life example exerted enormous influence on the history of the second half of the 20th century and, in particular, on the history of Russia. Whether as a scientist or a private person (including his public activities and exceptional attitude to human personality), he always displayed creativity and a freedom of spirit, thought, and action. Sakharov’s life and creative work make him a model scientist and citizen for many and undoubtedly provide a legacy for the development of science and society in the 21st century. In this paper, some of Sakharov’s key ideas and achievements relating to his KB-11 period are exemplified, and how they influence present day research and technology, notably as employed for affording national security, is examined.

PACS: 01.60.+q, 01.65.+g, 28.70.+y (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0182.201202i.0195 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2012/2/h/ 000304186400007 2-s2.0-84862077619 2012PhyU...55..183I Citation: Ilkaev R I "Sakharov at KB-11. The path of a genius" Phys. Usp. 55 183–189 (2012) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 15th, September 2011, accepted: 25th, May 2011 Оригинал: Илькаев Р И «Сахаров в КБ-11. Путь гения» УФН 182 195–201 (2012); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0182.201202i.0195 A.D. Sakharov is author of Physics-Uspekhi