Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis of the Research Institute of Physics of St. Petersburg State University.

The events which initiated the organization of the Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and the Division of Optics of the Department of Physics of Leningrad State University in 1948 are set forth. The steps in the growth of the laboratory and the transformations in the main fields of scientific research are considered. The important role of the laboratory staff at all steps of its work is noted both in the development of methods of spectrochemical analysis and their application as well as in training students and highly skilled personnel in analytical spectroscopy. The researchers of the laboratory who made a great contribution to analytical spectroscopy are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]