Orlov, Tarasov, and the Robinson sum rule*

Abstract

A paper proving a result now commonly known as “Robinson sum rule” was published by Orlov and Tarasov {J. Exp. Theor. Phys. 34, 651 (1958)JTPHES1063-7761 [Sov. Phys. JETP 34, 339 (1958)]SPHJAR0038-5646} at about the same time that Robinson himself published the result [Phys. Rev. 111, 373 (1958)PHRVAO0031-899X10.1103/PhysRev.111.373]. We assigned ourselves the task of reviewing this work, as narrowly as possible, in hopes of understanding how it should be considered in view of the existing attribution. The chronology of the work is reviewed and the degree to which the two works were independent and have qualitatively different content is considered.