Ph.D., professor, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the ASSR, and honored figure of science of the ASSR
Sahakyan was born on September 10, 1913, in the Sarnaghbyur village of the current Shirak Province of RA. He received primary education in Sarnaghbyur village. In 1933, Sahakyan graduated from Leninakan (now Gyumri) Construction Technical School.
From 1933-1934, he worked as a teacher in the secondary school of Mets Parni village, in 1939, Sahakyan graduated from the YSU Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. From 1939-1946, he served in the Soviet army and participated in the Great Patriotic War. In 1949, Sahakyan completed postgraduate studies.
In 1950, he defended a candidate's thesis, and in 1963 - a doctoral thesis. In 1964, he became professor. In 1965, Sahakyan was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the ASSR, in 1982 - an academician.
He worked continuously at YSU since 1950. In 1951, on his initiative, the chair of theoretical physics was founded, which he headed until 1985. From 1967-1972, Sahakyan was the dean of the Faculty of Physics.
He was engaged in the research of elementary particle physics and cosmic rays. He summarized the obtained results in the monograph "Energy Spectra and Nuclear Interactions of Cosmic Radiation Particles" (Yerevan, 1958).
At the beginning of the 1960s, with V. Hambardzumyan they created a new direction in theoretical astrophysics: physics of superdense stars, built models of superdense interstellar arrangement, and discovered a new phenomenon of the general theory of relativity, the anomalous mass deficit. These results are important in studies of the cosmogenesis of superdense celestial bodies.
Sahakyan also founded the scientific direction "Physics of neutron stars", and discovered the important role of neutron stars in the activity processes of the nuclei of galaxies. From 1991-1997, he developed the theories of pulser radio emission and bursters. He is the founder of the scientific school of theory of gravitation in Armenia.
He authored about 200 scientific articles, monographs, training manuals, and textbooks, including "Equilibrium configurations of degenerate gas masses" (M., 1972), "Physics of neutron stars" (Dubna, 1995), "Basics of the relativistic theory of gravity" (Yerevan, 1987) monographs, which were translated into English, French, and German. Sahakyan co-authored the textbook "Quantum Mechanics" (Yerevan, 1972, Russian, 1982).
7 candidate and 10 doctoral theses were defended under his guidance.
His role in the creation of the "Laser Technology" research and production unit is decisive.
Until the end of his life, he was the chairman of the Professional Council of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics operating at YSU.
In 1970, Sahakyan became an honored figure of science of the ASSR.
In 1945, he was awarded the Red Star, in 1981, Friendship of Peoples, in 1985: the Second-degree Medal of the Patriotic War, and in 1986: The Order of Lenin.
In 1994, Sahakyan was awarded the YSU medal "For exceptional achievements in scientific studies and higher education".
Sahakyan passed away on March 26, 2000, in Yerevan.
The YSU Chair of Theoretical Physics is named after Sahakyan, and a bronze bust is placed in the lobby of the YSU central building.
A commemorative plaque is attached to the wall of building No. 4 on Charents Street, Yerevan.
