Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Divisional Manager, Institute of Crystallography named after A. Shubnikov RAS, Moscow, Russia

(Scopus)

A well-known specialist in the field of studying crystalline and film structure using electron microscopy, electron diffraction and atomic force microscopy, Alla Leonidovna Tolstikhina was born in Moscow on April 22, 1955. As a student at the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys (1973–1978), she had already developed a lifelong interest in scientific research. Following a three-year spell working in distribution at a watch factory, Alla came to the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography in 1981, from which point her research activity became almost inextricably linked with this institution. Here she went through all the stages of her scientific career – Junior Researcher, Senior Researcher, Head of Section (since 2003).

To begin with, her scientific interests were focused on diffraction research methods. Her Ph.D. thesis, defended in 1988, was devoted to the structure of amorphous films using electron diffraction. Alla mastered research techniques working not only on with diffractometers, but also on electron microscopes. Since, as a qualified microscopist, she was always interested in the new capabilities of technology, it is not surprising that after the appearance of the atomic force microscope, Tolstikhina became the first specialist at the Institute to start using the new device. Working closely with domestic manufacturers of scanning probe microscopes, Alla Leonidovna made a significant contribution to the development of experimental techniques. In methodological terms, the result of many years of research was the development of a metrological atomic force microscopy complex located in uncontaminated premises to ensure the reliability of the results, which has no analogues in Russia. In organisational terms, her work led to the creation of the scanning probe microscopy sector at the Institute. The range of research carried out in this sector is very wide – from single crystals to thin films, from inorganic substances to biological objects. Studies on the domain structure of ferroelectrics by atomic force microscopy can be referred to as classical.

A. L. Tolstikhina has trained a number of students and graduate students in working with an atomic-force microscope. Working with young scientists has always been a central part of her scientific activities. The particular attention to this aspect of work led to her appointment to the position of scientific secretary of the Institute (1998–2004). During this time, much was achieved on behalf of employees in terms of ensuring the convenient functioning of the department, helping to solve the current problems of planning and organising research work. For many years, A.L. Tolstikhin has been the permanent scientific secretary of the Scientific Council of the RAS for electron microscopy. The conferences regularly held by this council are always popular among the microscopic community.

In 2013, A. L. Tolstikhina defended her thesis for the degree of Doctor of Physics and Mathematics on the topic Atomic Force Microscopy of Crystals and Films with Complex Surface Morphology. The list of her works includes 3 monographs, 320 scientific articles, including 4 reviews, 5 copyright certificates and 3 patents.