Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman Biography

 

Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman, commonly known as C.V. Raman, was an Indian physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of light scattering and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his discovery, which came to be known as the "Raman Effect." He was born on November 7, 1888, in the city of Tiruchirappalli (formerly Trichinopoly), in the Madras Presidency of British India.

Raman hailed from a scholarly family, and his father was a professor of physics. He displayed an early interest in science and pursued his education at Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai). After completing his bachelor's degree in 1904, he joined the Indian Finance Department as an accountant. However, his passion for scientific research led him to resign from his government job and return to academia.

In 1907, Raman joined the University of Madras as the first Palit Professor of Physics. He conducted extensive research on the optics of fluids, acoustics, and the behavior of light. His most significant breakthrough came in 1928 when he discovered that when light traverses a transparent substance, a small fraction of the light scatters in a way that its frequency changes. This phenomenon, now known as the "Raman Effect," demonstrated the inelastic scattering of light and provided insights into the molecular structure of materials.

Raman's discovery had a profound impact on the field of physics and opened up new avenues for the study of molecular and atomic structures. It provided a powerful tool for analyzing chemical compositions, studying crystals, and investigating the properties of various substances. Raman spectroscopy, based on the Raman Effect, has become an essential technique in many scientific disciplines.

For his groundbreaking discovery, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him the first non-white Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in any scientific category. The recognition brought international acclaim to Raman and his work, cementing his reputation as one of India's most prominent scientists.

Throughout his career, Raman held various prestigious positions, including the directorship of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore (1933-1937) and the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata (1947-1948). He also served as the President of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Raman continued his scientific research until the end of his life, exploring diverse fields such as optics, magnetism, and physiology.

C.V. Raman's contributions to science and his remarkable career have left a lasting impact on the scientific community. His work continues to inspire generations of scientists and serves as a testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and dedication to advancing human knowledge. Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, leaving behind a rich scientific legacy that remains influential to this day.