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Dr. C.V. Raman
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One of the greatest
scientists of India to win the Nobel Prize in 1930, Sir
C.V. Raman is a legend in the world of Physics. His
outstanding discovery in the field of light, named the 'Raman
Effect', won him the prestigious Nobel Prize for Physics.
Sir C.V. Raman also wrote a number of valuable papers, conducted
research and provided inspiration for creating many scientific
institutions that have benefited students for generations.
Born on 7th November 1888 in Trichnopoly (Tamil Nadu),
India,
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was a child prodigy - he completed
his matriculation at the young age of 12 and then went on to
complete his B.A. in 1904 and M.A. in Physics (1st in the
University) in 1907. As a
student in Presidency College, Madras, he attempted to modify Melde's
theory on sound and also worked on Diffraction of
Light. He succeeded in publishing his first paper on this
latter topic in 1906. |
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He became the Deputy Accountant General in Calcutta, 1907,
after passing a competitive, civil service examination. In 1915, he
happened to meet Sir Aushotosh Mukherjee, the Secretary of the Indian
Science Association and soon became a member of this association, since he
was interested in doing research. In 1917, he resigned from his Deputy
Accountant General job and became a Physics Professor at Calcutta
University. In 1924, he became a fellow of the Royal
Society of London.
While on a sea voyage to
Europe on 1921, he marveled at the brilliant blue colors of the
Mediterranean and the blue color of the glaciers. Back in India,
he experimented on the diffusion process of light through water, blocks of
ice and other chosen materials. His results helped him to explain the
ocean's blue color. His interest in this field did not wane and on
continuing with the research, he discovered the 'Raman Effect.'
While working with monochromatic light from a mercury arc and a
spectroscope, he studied the characteristics of diffused radiations
emerging from a particular object or material. His results won him the 1930's
Nobel Prize in Physics and world acclaim.
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Sir
C.V. Raman |
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His research work also extended to magnetism and the
theory of musical instruments. Between all this research, he
still made time for a wide range of activities -
- He taught at the University for 15 years.
- In 1933, he became Director of the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore, India - a position he maintained for ten
years.
- In 1934, he inspired the building of and became the President of the
Indian Academy of Sciences.
On 21st November 1970, he passed away, leaving behind a legacy of
knowledge - both theory and practical.
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