Nicolay Basov

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1964
Nobel co-recipients: Charles H. Townes, Aleksandr M. Prokhorov

Award: "for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle."

Nobel Medal Cash and Charity

Nikolay Basov received as his share of the Nobel Prize $13,000, a quarter of the total Prize money of $52,000. He had been given by then, by the Soviet Union government, an apartment and a car. Those days individuals were not permitted to have accounts in Vneshtorgbank. Upon the Nobel Prize being awarded to him, the government granted him special permission to open an account in that bank.

It has been rumored that Basov’s entire Nobel Prize money of $13,000 was taken by the Soviet Union government and that he received no money.