Biography of C. V. Raman
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, commonly known as C. V. Raman, was an Indian physicist whose groundbreaking work in the field of light scattering earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India, Raman made significant contributions to the understanding of the behavior of light and the molecular structure of materials. Here is a detailed biography of his life:
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| Biography of C. V. Raman |
Early Life and Education:
C. V. Raman belonged to a family deeply rooted in intellectual pursuits. He showed an early interest in science and mathematics. He attended Presidency College in Chennai (then Madras) and later pursued his higher education at the University of Cambridge, England. In 1907, he earned a B.A. degree and in 1911, he obtained a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge.
Scientific Career:
Raman began his career as a lecturer at the Presidency College in Chennai. His interest in light scattering led to his groundbreaking discovery known as the Raman Effect. In 1928, Raman and his student, K. S. Krishnan, observed that when light traverses a transparent material, a small fraction of the light changes in wavelength. This phenomenon provided crucial insights into the molecular and atomic structure of matter. Raman’s discovery confirmed the quantum nature of light and opened new avenues in the field of physics.
Nobel Prize and Recognition:
In 1930, C. V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the scattering of light and for the discovery of the Raman Effect. He was the first Asian and the first non-white person to receive a Nobel Prize in the field of science.
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Later Life and Contributions:
Raman served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore from 1933 to 1937. He later became the Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta. He continued his research and made significant contributions to various branches of physics, including acoustics and optics.
Scientific life of C. V. Raman:
In 1909, J.D. N. Tata established the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore to develop scientific talent in India. The Mysore King provided 150 hectares of land for this institution. The construction of the institute started with the confidence of the British rule. On completion of the construction work, the British government appointed its director there. The members of the institution were also English.
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In 1933, Chandrasekhar Ventkaraman Raman became the first Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science. At that time a lot of money was being spent in the name of the institute. But the development of scientific talent was negligible. In this situation, C. V. Raman disseminated that tradition of British propagation of science throughout the country. He made a very creative change in the policies and programs of the institution. By doing this, they wanted to improve that institution. He gave birth to greenery at the Indian Institute of Science. Flowering plants were also grown there. Later, this institute became a major center of attraction.
Award to C. V. Raman:
1. In the year 1924 C.V. Raman was made a member of the Royal Society of London.
2. The ‘Raman Effect’ was discovered on 28 February 1928. To commemorate this great discovery, the day of February 28 is celebrated every year in India as ‘National Science Day’.
3. Presided over the Indian Science Congress in the year 1929.
4. Knighthood was awarded in the year 1929.
5. In the year 1930, he received the prestigious Nobel Prize in the field of physics for the scattering of light and the discovery of the Raman effect.
6. Awarded Bharat Ratna in the year 1954.
7. Awarded Lenin Peace Prize in the year 1957.
Legacy and Honors to C. V. Raman:
C. V. Raman’s legacy is immense. His discovery, the Raman Effect, laid the foundation for modern spectroscopy techniques. In his honor, the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore was established. The Raman Effect remains a fundamental technique used in various scientific disciplines, and his contributions to the field of physics continue to be celebrated globally.
Passing:
C. V. Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, leaving behind a legacy of scientific brilliance and innovation that has inspired generations of physicists and researchers.
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