Neutron physics as a matter of lifeOn the 90TH anniversary of the birth of academician V.A. Nazarenko

The article is devoted to the life and work of Vladimir Andreevich Nazarenko (1934–2006), a talented experimental physicist, Winner of the Lenin Prize (1974), Honored Worker of Science and Technology of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, director of the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1994–2006). Knight of the Order of Honor, Honorary citizen of the city of Gatchina. In addition to remarkable scientific achievements, the undoubted merit of V.A. Nazarenko is convinced that in the most difficult years for Russian science, his efforts played a decisive role in preserving the creative potential of the Institute and its leading positions in the world in many areas of scientific research. From the mid-90s to the end of his life, he was the coordinator of the RAS Physics Science Department Program “Neutron Studies of Substsnce and fundamental properties of Matter”. Having headed the project to create a research complex based on the PIK reactor, V.A. Nazarenko, with his incredible efforts, managed to give a new impetus to the construction of the PIK reactor, which determined the development of the institute and its new prospects for many years to come. As a result, the implementation of a large-scale project is now in the final stage, the authors of the article at various times worked closely with Vladimir Andreevich in various directions.