Sir C. V. Raman: A Life of Scientific Brilliance
Early Life and Education
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly known as C. V. Raman, was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. His father, R. Chandrasekhara Iyer, was a teacher of mathematics and physics, which played a crucial role in shaping Raman’s scientific interests. From a young age, he exhibited exceptional intelligence and curiosity about the natural world.
Raman completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physics in 1904 from Presidency College, Madras, securing the highest marks and a gold medal. Despite limited resources for research in India at that time, he continued his studies and completed his M.A. in Physics in 1907. His passion for research was evident from an early age, even though formal scientific research in India was still in its infancy.
Professional Career and Discovery of the Raman Effect
Despite his interest in research, Raman initially joined the Indian Finance Service (IFS) in 1907 as an Assistant Accountant General in Kolkata (then Calcutta). However, his enthusiasm for physics never diminished. He spent his free time conducting research at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), where he worked on acoustics, optics, and scattering of light.
In 1921, while traveling to Europe, Raman was fascinated by the deep blue color of the Mediterranean Sea. This curiosity led him to investigate the scattering of light in different mediums, which eventually led to the discovery of what is now known as the Raman Effect in 1928. This phenomenon explained how light, when passing through a transparent material, changes its wavelength due to interactions with molecules in the medium. This was a groundbreaking discovery in the field of optics and quantum mechanics.
For this discovery, C. V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him the first Asian and non-white person to receive a Nobel Prize in Science.
Famous Incidents in His Life
1. The Mediterranean Sea Incident (1921)
While on a ship traveling to England, Raman questioned why the sea appeared blue. At that time, Lord Rayleigh’s theory attributed the blue color of the ocean solely to the reflection of the sky. However, Raman doubted this explanation and conducted experiments using a simple spectroscope on board. He realized that the color was due to the scattering of light by water molecules, an idea that led him to further investigations and ultimately to the Raman Effect.
2. The Kolkata Laboratory Research (1928)
Raman, along with his student K. S. Krishnan, used a mercury arc lamp as a light source and a spectrometer to study light scattering in liquids. On February 28, 1928, he observed an unusual change in the frequency of scattered light. This moment is celebrated as National Science Day in India (February 28th) every year.
3. Nobel Prize Controversy (1930)
Raman was so confident about winning the Nobel Prize for his discovery that he booked his tickets to Stockholm even before the official announcement! His belief was proven right when he became the first Indian scientist to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics.
4. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Raman Research Institute
In 1933, Raman became the Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, but faced challenges as he was not welcomed warmly by many faculty members. Later, in 1948, he established the Raman Research Institute, where he continued his research until his last days.
5. Refusal of the Bharat Ratna (1954)
Despite his immense contributions to science, Raman was never awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. It is believed that he refused it due to political reasons, as he was disappointed by how science was being treated in post-independence India.
Later Years and Legacy
Raman continued his research in optics, acoustics, and crystal physics until his death. Even in his last days, he worked tirelessly in his laboratory. He passed away on November 21, 1970, at the age of 82.
His contributions to science remain unparalleled, and his legacy lives on through the Raman Effect, the Raman Research Institute, and the National Science Day celebrations in India.
Interesting Facts About C. V. Raman
- He was deeply interested in music and acoustics and studied the physics behind Indian musical instruments like the tabla and mridangam.
- He believed that science should be independent and not influenced by politics.
- His discovery of the Raman Effect led to significant advancements in fields like spectroscopy, chemistry, and even forensic science.
Sir C. V. Raman’s life is an inspiration for every aspiring scientist. His curiosity, dedication, and independent thinking continue to encourage generations to pursue scientific discovery.
