Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has...

"As a world renowned scientist, you have significantly contributed to the development of modern science and gained authority for your breakthrough discoveries and research. Credit also goes to your active and vital role in society," Putin said.

Earlier in the day, Alfyorov received congratulations from President Dmitry Medvedev, who awarded him an Order of Merit for Services to the Motherland, fourth class.

Alfyorov, born in Vitebsk in 1930 to a Belarusian-Jewish family, is a Russian physicist whose contribution to the creation of modern heterostructure physics and electronics has secured his place as one of the greatest Russian scientists of our age.

He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 and has been a member of the Russian parliament since 1995.

MOSCOW, March 15 (RIA Novosti)