Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman: Nobel Laureate in Physics
Early Life and Education:
C. V. Raman, born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India), was a pioneering Indian physicist. He hailed from a Brahmin family known for its academic background and cultural values. Raman displayed an early interest in science and optics, often conducting experiments at home.
In 1902, Raman joined Presidency College in Chennai (then Madras), where he excelled in his studies. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1904 and continued his education, obtaining a Master’s degree in physics in 1907. Despite facing financial constraints, Raman’s determination and passion for science drove him to pursue higher studies.
Research and Academic Career:
C. V. Raman began his career as an assistant accountant general in the finance department of the Indian government. However, his true passion lay in scientific research. In 1917, he accepted the position of Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta, marking the beginning of his academic career.
Raman’s early research focused on optics, acoustics, and electromagnetism. His investigations into the scattering of light by liquids and the phenomenon of the blue color of the Mediterranean Sea laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work in the future.
Raman Effect and Nobel Prize:
In 1928, while working at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata, C. V. Raman made his most significant discovery—the Raman Effect. He observed the scattering of light when it passed through transparent materials, leading to the identification of a new phenomenon. This discovery provided conclusive evidence for the existence of photons and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
The Raman Effect demonstrated that when light interacts with matter, some of its photons undergo a change in energy, leading to the scattering of light in different directions. This groundbreaking discovery had profound implications for the understanding of molecular structure and quantum mechanics.
Later Career and Legacy:
C. V. Raman served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore from 1933 to 1937. He continued his research in various fields, contributing to areas such as crystal dynamics, ultrasonics, and optics.
Raman’s legacy extends beyond his scientific contributions. He was a vocal advocate for scientific research in India and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and honors, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1954.
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, leaving an indelible mark on the world of physics and serving as an inspiration for generations of scientists in India and around the globe.
