Vladimir Pavlovich Linnik (born 6.07.1889) is a Soviet physicist and an academician (1939). He was born in Kharkov. He graduated from Kiev University (1914). Since 1926 he has worked at the State Optical Institute (at first as senior research fellow, then as head of a laboratory, and from 1951 as head of a department). At the same time, in 1933—41 he was professor at Leningrad University and in 1946—68 senior research fellow at the Pulkovo Observatory.
His first cycle of work concerned the optics of X-rays and the study of the structure of crystals. From the 1930s his main work was directed at creating new high-precision optical and optoelectronic methods of measurement and inspection in mechanical engineering, astronomy and the optical industry. In particular, he was the first to develop the interference methods, now in wide use, for checking the roughness and the correctness of form of large metal surfaces, for measuring the amount of substance in low-contrast biological micro-objects, and many others. On Linnik's proposal and under his direction a number of astronomical instruments were developed, in particular a stellar interferometer with a 6 m baseline for the study of double stars. He developed a method for the automatic compensation of harmful air turbulence, which began the development of adaptive optics.
Hero of Socialist Labour (1969). USSR State Prizes (1946, 1950). The S. I. Vavilov Gold Medal (1973).