Obituary of Evgenii Pokatilov

Dr. Evgenii Petrovich Pokatilov, distinguished professor of physics at the Moldova State University, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RANS), died of a cancer on February 1, 2011 at the age of 84. One of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in the Republic of Moldova who combined a penetrating mind, a bright intuition and an extraordinary ability to work hard, he was recognized internationally as an outstanding authority in the physics of electron-phonon interactions. In addition to his numerous research achievements, he created his own “school of theoretical physics” and educated several generations of scientists. Among his many gifts was a unique ability to spot talented students, and excite them with physics problems. He deeply respected people, and was truly appreciated by all those fortunate to work with him. With his openness and goodwill, conscientiousness and dignity he belonged to the elite of the intelligentsia.

Evgenii Pokatilov was born on January 27, 1927 in Odessa, Ukraine. As a teenager he experienced the horrors of World War II, which he met in Moldova, before his family found a refuge in Saratov, Russia. After the war he returned to Moldova and entered the Kishinev State University to study physics. In 1950, he graduated with the highest distinction and was the first graduate offered an academic position in his alma mater. Through 60 years of his extraordinary academic career, he published more than 500 scientific works and achieved top honors many times.

In 1950s, Prof. Pokatilov initiated theoretical studies of transport phenomena in semiconductors. His first publication was on the impurity bands in ionic semiconductors. In 1961, he received his Candidate (PhD) degree for his investigations of the interaction of electrons with acoustic vibrations. The thesis defense took place at the Institute of Physics of the Ukrainian Academy of Science (UAS) in Kiev. From 1963 to 1975, Prof. Pokatilov performed pioneering investigations of polarons in piezoelectric crystals. He calculated the energy bands of impurity crystals, and developed, together with A.A. Klyukanov, a theory of cyclotron absorption. In 1971, Prof. Pokatilov was awarded the degree of Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (Doctor Rerum Naturam Habilitat) by UAS. His thesis dealt with polaronic and dissipative relaxation processes in lattices with imperfections. Since 1975, Prof. Pokatilov contributed significantly to applied research aimed at the development of light modulators.

Elegant derivations are characteristic of Prof. Pokatilov’s theoretical style. He fully displayed his analytical skills in his next project. Since 1975, using Feynman’s path integrals, he developed, together with V.M. Fomin, a theory of the interaction of strong electromagnetic radiation with free charge carriers in semiconductors. This theory allowed an accurate prediction of non-linear optical effects in semiconductors. It was successfully applied to account for laser-induced breakdown in crystals. Through the 1980s, Prof. Pokatilov and his group worked on the theories of interface polarons, slab polarons, “levitating” polarons, bipolarons and excitons in multi-layer structures and superlattices. The study of superlattice polaritons, conducted with S.I. Beril and V.M. Fomin, received the DISCOVERY award from the RANS.

In the 1990s, Prof. Pokatilov focused his attention on nanostructures. At this time, he also had to handle many problems which were far removed from his beloved physics. The dissolution of the Soviet Union led to many changes, including the disappearance of state funding for research. Never losing his optimism, Prof. Pokatilov fought to preserve his research group, in particular by participating in European collaborative projects. He successfully engaged in collaboration with Prof. J.T. Devreese at the University of Antwerp. The resulting research, conducted together with V.M. Fomin, V.N. Gladilin and S.N. Klimin, was important for understanding polaron states in quantum confined structures. A pioneering idea of non-adiabaticity of the exciton-phonon systems in nanostructures provided considerable insight into the optical properties of quantum dots.

During the 2000s, Prof. Pokatilov became involved in the study of confined phonons in nanostructures, in collaboration with A.A. Balandin and his research group at the University of California - Riverside (UCR). This work contributed to development of the phonon engineering concept. The latest efforts of Prof. Pokatilov and his collaborator, D.L. Nika, carried out during several visits to UCR, were focused on explaining the intricacies of the phonon thermal transport in graphene.

Evgenii Petrovich will be remembered as an extremely warm person and a fantastic erudite. It was always a pleasure to hear his stories ranging from the history of Russia and Moldova, to comparative analysis of Californian and Moldovan wines. Devoted to his family, Prof. Pokatilov together with his wife Larisa Vladimirovna raised two daughters and two grandsons, of whom he was very proud.