Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, also known as C.V. Raman, was a renowned Indian physicist who made pioneering contributions to the field of light scattering, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He was born on November 7, 1888 in Tiruchirapalli, India, into a family of scholars and intellectuals.
Raman received his early education in his hometown, where he excelled in mathematics and science. He later went on to study at the Presidency College in Madras, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Physics. After completing his undergraduate studies, Raman pursued a Master's degree in Physics at the University of Madras, where he earned the highest marks in the university's history.
After completing his education, Raman began working as a professor at the University of Calcutta, where he conducted research on the scattering of light. In 1928, he made a groundbreaking discovery, known as the Raman Effect, which demonstrated that when light is scattered by molecules, the scattered light exhibits a change in frequency. This discovery revolutionized the field of spectroscopy and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
In addition to his work on light scattering, Raman made many other important contributions to the field of physics. He conducted research on the structure of crystals and developed a theory of the vibrational modes of crystals. He also made significant contributions to the field of acoustics, studying the behavior of sound waves in various materials.
Raman was a brilliant scientist and a dedicated teacher, and he inspired many young students to pursue careers in science. In addition to his scientific achievements, he was also a philanthropist and a strong advocate for the education of women and underprivileged children.
Throughout his career, Raman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Order of the Indian Empire, the Royal Society of London's Hughes Medal, and the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He passed away on November 21, 1970, leaving behind a rich legacy in the field of physics and a lasting impact on the scientific community.