This scientific and biographical article is dedicated to the life and scientific achievements of the outstanding Soviet and Russian physicist, Academician Andrey Viktorovich Gaponov-Grekhov (1926—2022), whose centenary will be celebrated on June 7, 2026. The article provides a detailed account of A.V. Gaponov-Grekhov's biography: his childhood in a family of scientists, education during the war years, formation as a scientist and science organizer at Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) University. Special attention is given to the establishment and development of the radiophysics school in Gorky, where, under the leadership of Gaponov-Grekhov and his colleagues, the foundations of new directions in physics were laid. The article analyzes the key scientific results of Gaponov-Grekhov: the discovery of shock electromagnetic waves, the development of principles for radiation generation based on electron cyclotron resonance (gyrotrons), the creation of the theory of induced emission of classical oscillators, as well as contributions to the development of nonlinear dynamics, plasma physics, hydroacoustics, and relativistic microwave electronics. His outstanding role as a science organizer is emphasized: the founding of the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS), the formation of a state program to support leading scientific schools, and the development of a system for training young scientists. Specially, In particular Gaponov-Grekhov's contribution to organizing major scientific programs, his participation in state and academic councils, and his active work in preserving and developing domestic science during the challenging 1990s are noted. The article illustrates how, through a combination of deep scientific knowledge, organizational talent, and state responsibility, Andrey Viktorovich became one of the key figures in the history of Russian physics, and the IAP RAS he created continues to hold leading positions in the country and the world.

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Keywords: history of physics, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Andrey Viktorovich Gaponov-Grekhov, Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS), radiophysics, nonlinear dynamics, plasma physics, gyrotrons, electron cyclotron resonance, physics of oscillations and waves, microwave electronics, relativistic electronics, hydroacoustics, science organization, scientific schools, training of young scientists, history of Russian physics, state science management PACS: 01.60.+q, 01.65.+g (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2026.04.040121 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2026/6/g/ Citation: Denisov G G, Litvak A G, Sergeev A M "Andrey Viktorovich Gaponov-Grekhov: a brief essay on his life and scientific activity (to the 100th anniversary of his birth)" Phys. Usp. 69 (6) (2026) Received: 7th, April 2026, accepted: 8th, April 2026 Оригинал: Денисов Г Г, Литвак А Г, Сергеев А М «Андрей Викторович Гапонов-Грехов. Краткий очерк жизни и научной деятельности (к 100-летию со дня рождения)» УФН 196 666–673 (2026); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2026.04.040121 A.V. Gaponov-Grekhov is author of Physics-Uspekhi