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• C.V. Raman: The Raman Effect

C.V. Raman and the Raman Effect

International historic chemical landmark.

Designated December 15, 1998, at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Jadavpur, Calcutta, India.

Commemorative Booklet (PDF)

"I propose this evening to speak to you on a new kind of radiation or light emission from atoms and molecules." With these prophetic words, Professor C. V. Raman of Calcutta University began his lecture to the South Indian Science Association in Bangalore on March 16, 1928. Raman proceeded to describe a discovery that resulted from a deceptively simple experiment. Conducted far from the great centers of scientific research in the Western world, the results would capture the attention of scientists around the world and bring many accolades, including the Nobel Prize, to their discoverer.

Raman’s Fascination with Light Scattering

Raman measures the effect of light scattering, raman effect as the physicist’s tool.

• Raman Effect as the Chemist’s Tool

The Laser and Raman Spectroscopy

Biography of sir c.v. raman, further reading, landmark designation and acknowledgments, cite this page.

Educated entirely in India, C.V. Raman made his first trip to London in 1921, where his reputation in the study of optics and especially acoustics was already known to the English physicists J. J. Thomson and Lord Rutherford, who gave him a warm reception. Raman's specialty had been the study of the vibrations and sounds of stringed instruments such as the violin, the Indian veena and tambura, and two uniquely Indian percussion instruments, the tabla and the mridangam.

But it was the return trip from London to Bombay aboard the SS Narkunda that would change forever the direction of Raman's future. During the fifteen-day voyage, his restless and probing mind became fascinated with the deep blue color of the Mediterranean. Unable to accept Lord Rayleigh's explanation that the color of the sea was just a reflection of the color of the sky, Raman proceeded to outline his thoughts on the matter while still at sea and sent a letter to the editors of the journal Nature when the ship docked in Bombay.

A short time later Raman was able to show conclusively that the color of the sea was the result of the scattering of sunlight by the water molecules. Ironically, it was exactly the same argument that Rayleigh had invoked when explaining the color of the sky — the blue was the result of the scattering of sunlight by the molecules in the air.

Raman was now obsessed with the phenomenon of light scattering. His group in Calcutta began an extensive series of measurements of light scattered primarily by liquids but also by some solids. As a result, Raman was able to explain the blue color observed in the ice of Alpine glaciers.

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Analysis of light scattered by a liquid is not an easy task, and much of the early work in Calcutta was done by the visual observation of color rather than precise measurements of the light's wavelength as shown in Figure 1 at right. The fundamentals of Raman's crucial experiment are outlined in Figure 2.

The violet light of the solar spectrum is isolated with a violet filter and passed through the liquid sample. Most of the light emerging from the liquid sample is the same color as the incident violet beam: the so-called Rayleigh scattered light. However, Raman and K. S. Krishnan were able to show that some of the scattered light was a different color, which they could isolate by using a green filter placed between the observer and the sample. The advantage of using a visual observation is that several substances can be studied quickly. In his first report to Nature , titled "A New Type of Secondary Radiation," Raman indicated that approximately 60 different liquids had been studied, and all showed the same result — some scattered light had a different color than the incident light. "It is thus," Raman said, "a phenomenon whose universal nature has to be recognized."

The Raman Effect is a very weak effect; only one in a million of the scattered light particles, or photons, actually exhibits the change in wavelength. This explains, in part, why the effect was not discovered earlier. In all of the early light-scattering studies, the excitation source was sunlight, which Raman has described as being plentiful in Calcutta, but it still lacked the desired intensity. The acquisition in 1927 by the IACS of a seven-inch (18 cm) refracting telescope enabled Raman to condense the sunlight and create a more powerful light source for his studies. By early 1928, mercury arc lamps were commercially available, and he switched to this even more intense light source.

Raman knew that visual and qualitative observations alone would not be sufficient information. He methodically set out to measure the exact wavelengths of the incident and Raman scattering by replacing the observer with a pocket spectroscope. He ultimately replaced it with a quartz spectrograph with which he could photograph the spectrum of the scattered light and measure its wavelength. These quantitative results were first published in the Indian Journal of Physics on March 31, 1928.

The significance of the Raman Effect was recognized quickly by other scientists. Professor R. W. Wood of Johns Hopkins cabled Nature to report that he had verified Raman's "brilliant and surprising discovery ... in every particular. It appears to me that this very beautiful discovery which resulted from Raman's long and patient study of the phenomenon of light scattering is one of the most convincing proofs of the quantum theory."

Raman had also recognized that his discovery was important to the debate in physics over the new quantum theory, because an explanation of the new radiation required the use of photons and their change in energy as they interacted with the atoms in a particular molecule. Raman also knew that there was a more important result, remarking in his 1930 Nobel Prize address that "... the character of the scattered radiations enables us to obtain an insight into the ultimate structure of the scattering substance."

In the first seven years after its discovery, the Raman Effect was the subject of more than 700 papers in the scientific literature, mostly by physicists who were using the technique to study the vibration and rotation of molecules and relating those phenomena to the molecular structure. Then, as noted by Raman biographer G. Venkataraman, there was a decline in interest, as "the first bloom of novelty had worn off and physicists were satisfied that they understood the origin of the effect." At the same time, chemists became interested in the Raman Effect as an analytical tool. In James Hibben's words, "The Raman Effect became the adopted child of chemistry."

Raman Effect as a Chemist’s Tool

By the late 1930s the Raman Effect had become the principal method of nondestructive chemical analysis for both organic and inorganic compounds. The unique spectrum of Raman scattered light for any particular substance served as a "fingerprint" that could be used for qualitative analysis, even in a mixture of materials. Further, the intensity of the spectral lines was related to the amount of the substance. Raman spectroscopy could be applied not only to liquids but also to gases and solids. And unlike many other analytical methods, it could be applied easily to the analysis of aqueous solutions. It was a ubiquitous technique, giving information on what and how much was present in a plethora of samples.

The use of Raman spectroscopy as a basic analytical tool changed sharply after World War II. During the war, infrared spectroscopy was enhanced by the development of sensitive detectors and advances in electronics. Infrared measurements quickly became routine operations, while Raman measurements still required skilled operators and darkroom facilities.

Raman spectroscopy could no longer compete with infrared until another development in physics — the laser — revived Raman spectroscopy in a new form beginning in the 1960s.

Raman understood the need for more intense light sources to amplify the effect and observation of the scattered light. The laser provided an even more intense source of light that not only could serve as a probe exploring the properties of the molecule but could also induce dramatically new effects.

With the development of the Fourier transform (FT) technique and the application of computers for data handling, commercial FT-Raman spectrometers became available in the late 1980s, resulting in resurgence in the use of the original Raman Effect.

The new Raman spectroscopy has been used to monitor manufacturing processes in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Illegal drugs captured at a crime scene can be analyzed rapidly without breaking the evidence seal on the plastic bag. Chemists can watch paint dry and understand what reactions are occurring as the paint hardens. Using a fiber-optic probe, they can analyze nuclear waste material from a safe distance. Photochemists and photobiologists are using laser Raman techniques to record the spectra of transient chemical species with lifetimes as small as 10 -11 seconds. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used for studying surfaces and reactions on surfaces. And, according to Kathy Kincade, Raman spectroscopy "has the ability to provide specific biochemical information that may foreshadow the onset of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses."

In his 1928 talk in Bangalore, Raman concluded, "We are obviously only at the fringe of a fascinating new region of experimental research which promises to throw light on diverse problems relating to radiation and wave theory, X-ray optics, atomic and molecular spectra, fluorescence and scattering, thermodynamics, and chemistry. It all remains to be worked out."

Seventy years later scientists are still actively working out the results and practical applications of Raman's deceptively simple experiment.

According to Hindu tradition, Raman was originally named Venkataraman after a Hindu deity, preceded by the initial of his father's first name, Chandrasekhara. In school his name was split to C. Venkata Raman, which later became C.V. Raman. With a father who was a professor of physics and mathematics and a mother who came from a family of Sanskrit scholars, Raman exhibited a precocious nature at an early age. He received a B.A. degree from Presidency College in Madras at the age of 16, placing first in his class and receiving a gold medal in physics.

While studying for his M.A. degree, he published his first research paper in Philosophical Magazine at the age of 18. It was the first research paper ever published from Presidency College.

Because of poor health, he was unable to go to England for further education. With nothing else available in India, in 1907 he passed the Financial Civil Service exam, married, and was posted to Calcutta as assistant accountant general.

Shortly after arriving in Calcutta, Raman began after-hours research at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS). In the first 10 years, working almost alone, he published 27 research papers and led the way for the IACS to become recognized as a vibrant research institute. Much of this early work was on the theory of vibrations as it related to musical instruments. After brief postings in Rangoon and Nagpur, he returned to Calcutta, took up residence next door to the IACS, and constructed a door that led directly into the institute, giving him access at any time. He received research prizes in 1912 and 1913 while he was still a full-time civil servant. He also increased the IACS reputation with his extensive lectures in popular science, holding the audience spellbound with his booming voice, lively demonstrations, superb diction and rich humor.

At the age of 29 he resigned from his lucrative civil service job when Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, vice-chancellor, Calcutta University, offered him the Palit Chair Professorship. He continued to lecture even though it was not required, and he used the IACS as the research arm of the university. By the time of his first visit to England in 1921, his reputation in physics was well known. Three years later he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society — only the fourth Indian so honored. That same year he toured the United States, spending four months at the California Institute of Technology through the invitation of Nobel Laureate Robert Millikan.

After discovering the Raman Effect in 1928, he was knighted by the British government in India and received the Nobel Prize in physics in 1930. Three years later, Raman left Calcutta for Bangalore, where he served as head of the Indian Institute of Science. There he continued his work on the Raman Effect and became interested in the structure of crystals, especially diamond. In 1934 he founded the Indian Academy of Science and began the publication of its Proceedings .

In 1948 he became director of the newly constructed Raman Research Institute, where he remained continually active, delivering his last lecture just two weeks before his death. His research interests changed in later years when he primarily investigated the perception of color.

Jagdish Mehra, a biographer, states, "Educated entirely in India, Raman did outstanding work at a time when the small Indian community worked almost entirely in isolation and few made science a career. In fostering Indian science, Raman emerged as one of the heroes of the Indian political and cultural renaissance, along with ... Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru." But as Raman himself once said, outstanding investigators "are claimed as nationals by one or another of many different countries. Yet in the truest sense they belong to the whole world."

• Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
• Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (nobelprize.org)

Landmark Designation

The American Chemical Society and the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science dedicated The Raman Effect an International Historic Chemical Landmark on December 15, 1998 at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Jadavpur, Calcutta, India. The plaque commemorating the event reads:

At this institute, Sir C. V. Raman discovered in 1928 that when a beam of coloured light entered a liquid, a fraction of the light scattered by that liquid was of a different color. Raman showed that the nature of this scattered light was dependent on the type of sample present. Other scientists quickly understood the significance of this phenomenon as an analytical and research tool and called it the Raman Effect. This method became even more valuable with the advent of modern computers and lasers. Its current uses range from the non-destructive identification of minerals to the early detection of life-threatening diseases. For his discovery Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1930.

Acknowledgments

Adapted for the internet from "The Raman Effect,” produced by the National Historic Chemical Landmarks program of the American Chemical Society in 1998.

American Chemical Society International Historic Chemical Landmarks. The Raman Effect. http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/ramaneffect.html (accessed Month Day, Year).

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C. V. Raman

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman , CBE (Tamil: சந்திரசேகர வெங்கடராமன் ) (November 7, 1888 – November 21, 1970) was an Indian physicist, who was awarded the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the scattering of light and his discovery of a unique form of scattering known as Raman scattering or the Raman effect. This effect is useful for analyzing the compositions of solids , liquids , and gases . It can also be used to monitor manufacturing processes and to diagnose diseases .

• 1.1 Family and Background
• 1.3 College
• 1.4 Further Study
• 1.5 Books that Influenced Raman
• 1.6 Early Career and Marriage
• 1.7 Later Years and Death
• 2.1 First Paper
• 2.2 Research
• 2.3 Raman Scattering
• 4.3 Bibliography
• 7 References
• 8 External links

Family and Background

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu to a Tamil Brahmin family. Raman’s ancestors were agriculturists, established near Porasakudi Village and Mangudi in the Tanjore district. His father, Chandrasekhara Iyer, studied in a school in Kumbakonam and passed the Matriculation examination in 1881. Eventually, in 1891, he gained a Bachelors of Arts degree in physics at the Society of the Promotion of the Gospel College in Tiruchirapalli. Chandrasekara became a lecturer in the same college. After passing the Matriculation Exam, he married Parvathi Ammal, and they had eight children—five sons and three daughters. On November 7, 1888, their second child, Raman, was born in his maternal grandfather’s house in Tiruvanaikkaval.

Raman’s elder brother, the first child, was C. Subrahmanya (better known as C.S. Iyer). His son, (Raman's nephew) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar , grew up to become world famous as an extraordinary astrophysicist , and was the Morton D. Hull Distinguished Service Professor in the University of Chicago , and was also a Nobel Laureate .

When Raman was four years old, his father, Chandrasekaran, moved to Visakhapatnam to take up a post as a lecturer in the Mrs A.V. Narasimha Rao College. There he taught physics, mathematics, and physical geography. Chandrasekaran was considered strong, both physically and mentally, as he was greatly involved in sports , physical culture, and Indian Carnatic music , among other activities.

Unlike his father, Raman was not physically strong; however, Raman had intellectual brilliance. He excelled in his studies, and showed early signs of unusual talent, winning accolades from his teachers and earning many prizes and scholarships.

Raman became interested in physics while still in school. He once built a dynamo by himself, and had deep curiosity regarding the workings of physical concepts and devices.

C. V. Raman finished school at the young age of eleven, by passing the Matriculation Examination with the first rank (top marks). He then joined the AVN College to study for the Intermediate Examination. He again earned accolades, and finished with top marks in the university examination. In 1903, he left for Chennai (then Madras) with a scholarship to study for the BA degree in the Presidency College, where he was the youngest student. The Presidency College was the best college in Southern India at that time. Most of the professors at the time Raman went to college were Europeans. Here, Raman’s interest in physics became even more focused, and he also developed a great liking for English.

Further Study

In 1904, Raman passed the BA examinations with first rank in the university, and won gold medals in English and Physics. Raman’s teachers advised him to go to England for further studies, but the Civil Surgeon of Madras ruled it out, claiming that the young Raman was too frail to withstand the English climate. Instead Raman did his MA in physics in Presidency College and did not go abroad until he was thirty-three. With the professor of Physics at that time, R. Llewellyn Jones, Raman said he “enjoyed a measure of academic freedom which seems almost incredible. To mention only one detail, during the whole of my two years’ work for the MA degree, I remember attending only one lecture…”

Books that Influenced Raman

Chandrasekara Venkata Raman found several books he came across in his college career very useful and often eye-opening. Of the books that influenced him, he wrote:

I finished my school and college career and my university examinations at the age of eighteen. In this short span of years, had been compressed the study of four languages and of a great variety of diverse subjects, in several cases up to the highest university standards. A list of all the volumes I had to study would be of terrifying length. Did these books influence me? Yes, in the narrow sense of making me tolerably familiar with subjects so diverse as Ancient Greek and Roman History, Theory and Public Finance, the late Sanskrit writers and minor English authors, to say nothing of Physiography, Chemistry and a dozen branches of Pure and Applied Mathematics, and of Experimental and Theoretical Physics. But out of this welter of subjects and books, can I pick out anything really to mould my mental and spiritual outlook and determine my chosen path in life? Yes, I can and I shall mention three books. … The Light of Asia. I remember being powerfully moved by the story of Siddhartha’s great renunciation, of his search for truth and of his final enlightenment. This was at a time when I was young enough to be impressionable, and this reading of the book fixed firmly in my mind the idea that this capacity for renunciation in the pursuit of exalted aims is the very essence of human greatness.

About books on science, Raman said:

The next set of books that I have to mention is one of the most remarkable works of all time namely, The Elements of Euclid. … The pages of Euclid are like the opening bars of the music of the grand opera of Nature’s great drama. So to say, they lift the veil and show to our vision a glimpse of the vast world of natural knowledge awaiting study.

Raman had an innate sense of love for music and he was also influenced by the works of the great Hermann von Helmholtz .

Raman said about this third of the three books of great influence on him:

It was my great good fortune, while I was still a student at college, to have possessed a copy of an English translation of his great work On The Sensations of Tone … It can be said without exaggeration that it profoundly influenced my intellectual outlook. For the first time, I understood from its perusal what scientific research really meant and how it could be undertaken. I also gathered from it a variety of problems for research which were later to occupy my attention and keep me busy for many years.

Early Career and Marriage

Raman took and passed his Masters examination in January 1907, again, with top marks and several accolades and prizes. While he wanted to focus on science (particularly research) opportunities for research in India (specifically for Indians) were zero. His possibility of going to England had been ruled out due to his weak health at the time. Therefore, Raman’s eyes looked to work in Government service, as it is known to be safe, secure, and even prestigious. Even in this case, he wanted to join the esteemed Indian Civil Service (ICS), which was the highest position in Government service, but this required studying in England and also appearing for the examination there—this choice was also ruled out for medical reasons. His next choice was the Financial Civil Service (FCS), where Raman’s brother C.S. Iyer was already a member. The FCS was the forerunner of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service of today. Author G. Venkataraman states in his book Journey Into Light , “Recruitment to it was by an all-India competitive examination, but even to appear for this examination one had to first go through an interview.” [1] Raman was screened, and as usual, stood first in the written examination, though he had to study some unfamiliar subjects like history and economics. Later, Raman’s other brother, Mr. Ramaswamy, confided, “After returning from the screening interview Raman said, “I took one look at all the candidates who had assembled, and I knew I was going to stand first.”” This instance shows the early formation of what was well known as the Raman Ego!

Raman passed the FCS examination in 1907, and before having an official position, married Lokasundari. This part of his life happened in a very nontraditional manner. Usually, Indian marriages are arranged by parents—this comprised of finding a proper horoscope match for their child. This included analyzing the star positions on their birth date, and other horoscopic figures. Following this is a visit by the boy and his parents to the girl’s house, to check to see if they like her—during this time, the girl usually is asked to give a musical presentation. Provided these arrangements have been in agreement and the girl’s family offers enough dowry , the date for their marriage is set.

Raman’s marriage took a completely different course of events. As a college student, Raman was friendly with Mr. Ramaswamy Sivan, who was a freemason , theosophist, and a man with progressive views. Raman often went to visit Mr. Sivan at his house, where one day, he heard music from an Indian Classical Instrument, veenai—it was played by Lokasundari, Sivan’s sister-in-law, who came for a visit from Madurai. Lokasundari was quite talented at playing the veenai, and Raman became attracted to her immediately. At that time, as Lokasundari was of marriageable age and her family was looking for a suitable groom, Sivan discussed this idea to Raman, who instantly agreed. Raman then proceeded to get his parents’ approval. But it was then found that Lokasundari, though of the same cast as Raman (Brahmin), was of a different subset—this match was, in those days, strictly forbidden. Raman’s father, a very liberal-minded man, accepted the idea of Raman selecting his own bride, even one from a different subset. However, the rest of the family, including Raman’s mother, were displeased. Regardless of such obstacles, however, Raman followed his heart and insisted on having his own way. In fact, he even refused to accept dowry from the girl’s side:

The story has it that on the first occasion he saw her, she was playing on the veena the Tyagaraja keertana [composition] ‘Rama ni Samanam Evaro?’ [Rama, is there anyone your equal?]. We shall never know whether it was by intent or by accident. Anyway, she insists that she still does not know if Raman married her for the extra allowance of Rs. 150 which the Finance Department gave to its married officers! [2]

The couple had two sons, Chandrasekhar and Radhakrishnan. Lokasundari came to be known as Lady Raman:

Those who have known her … had often said that her principal interest in life was to enable Professor Raman to carry on his scientific work with efficiency and in an uninterrupted manner … Seldom did she permit projection in the public of her own personality as distinct from that of her husband. This aspect of hers, besides being in line with the best of Indian traditions, was so noticeable on occasions that she drew the admiration of all concerned. [3]

Raman was given a position as Assistant Accountant-General in Calcutta in mid-1907—he was still a teenager then. His salary was then Rs. 400, including the marriage allowance. Raman and Lokasundari left for Calcutta , capital of what was then British India.

Raman made use of the diverse and scientific atmosphere of Calcutta, and was able to give full expression to his scientific creativity—Calcutta was then known as the premier city for science in the East. Apart from being posted in Calcutta, Raman was also sent to Nagpur and Rangoon; no matter the place, Raman always found ways to conduct experiments at home.

As the story goes, one evening while returning from work, he spotted the sign of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science. He started visiting the laboratory after office hours and did experiments, which culminated with his Nobel Prize winning work.

Later Years and Death

Ramaseshan, author of C.V. Raman – A Pictorial Biography , noted, “Many things happened [during the last decade of Raman’s life and] time in his Institute and in the country which affected Raman greatly. The half a dozen graduate students whom he had handpicked to work at his Institute began to leave. By 1960 all of them had gone and he chose not to take any more and (except for two assistants) he was almost all alone.” [2] It was at this time that Raman started to isolate himself from the world outside his institute—he built high walls on the compounds of his institute to discourage visitors. He underwent depression.

Much of Raman’s emotional turmoil was caused by the way things were happening in the newly independent country:

It seemed to him that scientific administrators, not believing that there was sufficient strength in the country for science to grow, looked outside more and more for inspiration. The policy seemed to be that expenditure (however indiscriminate), would automatically further the progress of science and technology. He felt that the universities, which till then identified and generated talent, were denuded and decertified by the exodus of scientists and teachers to better-paid positions in large, impersonal Government laboratories. Quantity appeared to be mistaken for quality. His attitude towards everyone—especially the Government—became one of suspicion and cynicism. [2]

An example of Raman’s source of disappointment with the Government is the idea that purchase and use of elaborate, expensive equipment from outside the country would greatly help advance scientific and technological progress. This contradicted Raman’s belief that even simple experiments can be conducted to find great scientific theories, as that is what even he had done in the Presidency College himself. Depicting such thoughts, a story from Journey Into Light goes, “… once he saw one of his students in a crest-fallen mood. Upon enquiry he learnt that (spectroscopic) experiments similar to those being performed by his student were also in progress in England at the same time and the student’s worry was that whereas he had merely a 1 kW lamp his competitor abroad had a 10 kW lamp. “Don’t worry,” Raman told the student, “put a 10 kW brain on the problem.”

Raman gave his last Gandhi Memorial Lecture, On the Cochlea and the perception of sound , on October 2, 1970. For the first and last time in his life, he requested the audience to allow him to sit down while answering their questions. This was the beginning of the end:

At the end of October he collapsed in his laboratory, the valves of his heart having given way. He was moved to hospital and the doctors gave him four hours to life. He survived and after a few days refused to stay in the hospital as he preferred to die in the gardens of his Institute surrounded by his flowers. [2]

Two days before Raman died, he told one of his former students, “Do not allow the journals of the Academy to die, for they are the sensitive indicators of the quality of science being done in the country and whether science is taking root in it or not.”

That same evening, Raman met with the Board of Management of his Institute and discussed (from his bed) with them any proceedings with regards to the Institute’s management. Raman passed away from natural causes early next morning, November 21, 1970.

Academic Career

First paper.

With the great freedom Raman found with Professor Jones while studying physics in Presidency College, he productively used the time, designing and developing experiments to answer the boundless questions he had. Only the fundamental laboratory instruments were available in the physics lab at the time (only enough for class work), but Raman made use of just these. Raman’s questions were often those whose answers were not found in the published literature. Thus, the essence of research came instinctively to him and was enough to push him to conduct experiments throughout his life.

While Raman was well aware of light in a wave form, and the concept of diffraction , he experimented with asymmetric diffraction of light. He compiled his findings on this experiment, and gave it to Professor Jones for comments. However, Professor Jones offered no opinion for several months. Around that time, Raman was aware of the Philosophical Magazine , perhaps those subscribed by the Connemara Public Library about five km away from Presidency College (it is not certain how Raman came to know of this magazine). Then, taking his first step towards publication, Raman sent his paper on asymmetric diffraction to the Philosophical Magazine in London, under the title “Unsymmetrical diffraction bands due to a rectangular aperture.” This paper was published in 1906—Raman, only 18 and not yet out of college, was the sole author with no acknowledgments. Raman’s achievement was even more astounding because Presidency College was not a research college, and Raman’s paper was the first to come out of that institution.

Almost immediately after Raman’s first publication, the famous R.W. Wood of Johns Hopkins University published another. Wood later sent a cable to Nature , exclaiming the discovery of the Raman Effect.

In 1917, Raman resigned from his government service and took up the newly created Palit Professorship in Physics at the University of Calcutta. Simultaneously, he continued doing research at the IACS, where he became the Honorary Secretary. Raman used to refer to this period as the golden era of his career. Many talented students gathered around him at the IACS and the University of Calcutta. He was president of the 16th session of the Indian Science Congress in 1929.

In addition to his Nobel Prize winning work on the scattering of light, Raman also worked on the acoustics of musical instruments . He worked out the theory of transverse vibration of bowed strings, on the basis of superposition velocities. This does a better job in explaining bowed string vibration over Helmholtz's approach. He was also the first to investigate the harmonic nature of the sound of the Indian drums such as the tabla and the mridangam.

In 1933, Raman became the director of the newly established Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore . The IISc was set up in 1909 with the main objective of bringing out original research and providing training in science and engineering. Up till Raman’s appointment, all of IISc’s directors were British and so were most of the faculty. Two years later, he continued as a Professor of Physics. In 1947, he was appointed as the first National Professor by the new government of Independent India .

He retired from the Indian Institute of Science in 1948 and a year later he established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore Karnataka, serving as its director and remained active there until his death in 1970.

Raman Scattering

Raman won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the scattering of light and for the discovery of the Raman effect. "Raman scattering" or the "Raman effect" is the inelastic scattering of a photon . Raman spectroscopy is based on this phenomenon.

When light is scattered from an atom or molecule , most photons are elastically scattered (Rayleigh scattering). The scattered photons have the same energy ( frequency ) and, therefore, wavelength , as the incident photons. However, a small fraction of scattered light (approximately one in ten million photons) is scattered from excitations with optical frequencies different from, and usually lower than, the frequency of the incident photons. [4] Thus, when a beam of light passes through a liquid this scattering effect causes some of it to emerge as a different color. This explains why the ocean appears blue. [5]

In a gas , Raman scattering can occur with a change in vibrational, rotational, or electronic energy of a molecule (see energy level). As Raman noted, "The character of the scattered radiations enable us to obtain an insight into the ultimate structure of the scattering substance."

In 1922, Raman published his work on the "Molecular Diffraction of Light," the first of a series of investigations with his collaborators which ultimately led to his discovery (on February 28, 1928) of the radiation effect which bears his name. The Raman effect was first reported by C. V. Raman and K. S. Krishnan, and independently by Grigory Landsberg and Leonid Mandelstam, in 1928. Raman received the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light.

Physicists welcomed Raman's finding as proof of quantum theory. Chemists are concerned primarily with the vibrational Raman effect. In 1998 the Raman Effect was designated an ACS National Historical Chemical Landmark in recognition of its significance as a tool for analyzing the composition of liquids, gases, and solids. [5]

The Raman Effect differs from the process of fluorescence . For the latter, the incident light is completely absorbed and the system is transferred to an energetically excited state, from which it can go to various lower states only after a certain period (resonance lifetime). The result of both processes is essentially the same: A photon with a frequency different from that of the incident photon is produced and the molecule is brought to a higher or lower energy level. But the major difference is that the Raman Effect can take place for any frequency of incident light. In contrast to the fluorescence effect, the Raman Effect is therefore not a resonant effect.

Raman spectroscopy, which uses the Raman effect, has been found a valuable tool for the identification and analysis of a wide ranger of materials. It is used to analyze a wide range of materials, including highly complex materials such as biological organisms and human tissue.

Raman was honored with a large number of honorary doctorates and memberships of scientific societies. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society early in his career (1924) and knighted in 1929. In addition to receiving the Nobel Prize in physics in 1930, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954 and the Lenin Peace Prize (1957). India celebrates National Science Day on the 28th February of every year to commemorate Raman's discovery in 1928. Pictures of C. V. Raman, his father Chandrasekaran, and Professor Jones (Raman's physics professor) hang at the entrance of the lecture hall of the Physics Department of Presidency College. In 1939, the Indian Academy of Sciences brought out a commemorative volume on Raman’s fiftieth birthday.

Raman also started a company called Travancore Chemical and Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in 1943, along with Dr. Krishnamurthy. The Company during its 60 year history established four factories in Southern India.

C. V. Raman is the uncle of three world renowned physicists: Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Nobel laureate; Sivaramakrishna Chandrasekhar FRS, known for Liquid crystal research; and Sivaraj Ramaseshan, former director of the Indian Institute of Science.

Raman gave his vision for the future of the he established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore Karnataka in a letter shortly before he died:

This Institute was created by me in 1948 to provide a place in which I could continue my studies in an atmosphere more conductive to pure research than that found in most scientific institutions. To me the pursuit of science has been an aesthetic and joyous experience. The Institute has been the haven where I cold carry on my highly personal research. This personal character of the Institute should obviously change after me. It must blossom into a great center of learning embracing many branches of science. Scientists from different parts of India and all over the world must be attracted to it. With its beautiful gardens, large libraries, extensive museums, I feel that the Institute offers a perfect nucleus for the growth of a center of higher learning. Science can only flower out when there is an internal urge. It cannot thrive under external pressures. Fundamental science cannot be driven by instructional, industrial, governmental or military pressure. This is the reason why I decided as far as possible not to accept money from Government. I have bequeathed all my property to the Institute. Unfortunately, this may not be sufficient for the growth of this center of Learning. I shall therefore not put it as a condition that no governmental funds should be accepted by the Institute. I would however strongly urge taking only funds that have no strings attached.

When he was offered a toast during the Nobel function: Being a strict teetotaller he responded,

Sir, you have seen the Raman Effect on alcohol; please do not try to see the alcohol effect on Raman.

For compact work, see: Scientific Papers of CV Raman , S. Ramaseshan (ed.).

• Vol. 1 - Scattering of Light (Ed. S Ramaseshan)
• Vol. 2 - Acoustic
• Vol. 3 - Optica
• Vol. 4 - Optics of Minerals and Diamond
• Vol. 5 - Physics of Crystals
• Vol. 6 - Floral Colours and Visual Perception

Bibliography

• "The Small Motion at the Nodes of a Vibrating String," Nature , 1909
• "The Maintenance of Forced Oscillations of a New Type," Nature , 1909
• "The Ectara," J. Indian Math. Club , 1909
• "The Maintenance of Forced Oscillations," Nature , 1910
• "Oscillations of the Stretched Strings," J. Indian Math. Club , 1910
• "Photographs of Vibrational Curves," Philos. Mag. , 1911
• "Remarks on a Paper by J.S. Stokes on 'Some Curious Phenomena Observed in Connection with Melde's Experiment'," Physics Rev. , 1911
• "The Small Motion at the Nodes of a Vibrating String," Phys. Rev. , 1911
• "The Maintenance of Forced Oscillations of a New Type," Philos. Mag , 1912
• "Some Remarkable Cases of Resonance," Phys. Rev. 1912
• "Experimental Investigations on the Maintenance of Vibrations," Bull. Indian Assoc. Cultiv. Sci. , 1912
• "Some Acoustical Observations," Bull. Indian Assoc. Cultiv. Sci. , 1913
• "The Dynamical Theory of the Motion of Bowed Strings," Bull. Indian Assoc. Cultiv. Sci. , 1914
• "The Maintenance of Vibrations," Phys. Rev. 1914
• "Dynamical Theory of the Motion of Bowed Strings," Bulletin, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , 1914
• "On Motion in a Periodic Field of Force," Bull. Indian Assoc. Cultiv. Sci. , 1914
• "On the Maintenance of Combinational Vibrations by Two Simple Harmonic forces," Phys. Rev. , 1915
• "On Motion in a Periodic Field of Force," Philos. Mag , 1915
• "On Discontinuous Wave-Motion - Part 1," Philos. Mag , 1916 (with S Appaswamair)
• "On the 'Wolf-Note' of the Violin and Cello," Nature (London). 1916
• "On the 'Wolf-Note' in the Bowed Stringed Instruments," Philos. Mag. , 1916
• "The Maintenance of Vibrations in a Periodic Field of Force," Philos. Mag , 1917 (with A. Dey)
• "On Discontinuous Wave-Motion - Part 2," Philos. Mag , 1917 (with A Dey)
• "On Discontinuous Wave-Motion - Part 3," Philos. Mag , 1917 (with A Dey)
• "On the Alterations of Tone Produced by a Violin 'Mute'," Nature (London) 1917
• "On the 'Wolf-Note' in the Bowed Stringed Instruments," Philos. Mag. , 1918
• "On the Wolf-Note in Pizzicato Playing," Nature (London), 1918
• "On the Mechanical Theory of the Vibrations of Bowed Strings and of Musical Instruments of the Violin Family, with Experimental Verification of Results - Part 1," Bulletin, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , 1918
• "The Theory of the Cyclical Vibrations of a Bowed String," Bulletin, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , 1918
• "An Experimental Method for the Production of Vibrations," Phys. Rev. , 1919
• "A New Method for the Absolute Determination of Frequency," Proc. R. Soc. London , 1919
• "On the Partial Tones of Bowed Stringed Instruments," Philos. Mag , 1919
• "The Kinematics of Bowed Strings," J. Dept of Sci., Univ. Calcutta , 1919
• "On the Sound of Splashes," Philos. Mag , 1920
• "On a Mechanical Violin-Player for Acoustical Experiments, Philos. Mag. , 1920
• "Experiments with Mechanically-Played Violins," Proc. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , 1920
• "On Kaufmann's Theory of the Impact of the Pianoforte Hammer," proc. S. Soc. London , 1920 (with B Banerji)
• "Musical Drums with Harmonic Overtones," Nature (London), 1920 (with S. Kumar)
• "Whispering Gallery Phenomena at St. Paul's Cathedral," Nature (London) 1921 (with G.A. Sutherland)
• "The Nature of Vowel Sounds," Nature (London) 1921
• "On the Whispering Gallery Phenomenon," Proc. R. Soc. London , 1922 (with G.A. Sutherland)
• "On Some Indian Stringed Instruments," Proc. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , 1921
• "On Whispering Galleries," Indian Assoc. Cultiv. Sci. , 1922
• "On the Molecular Scattering of Light in Water and the Colour of the Sea," Proceedings of the Royal Society , 1922
• "The Acoustical Knowledge of the Ancient Hindus," Asutosh Mookerjee Silver Jubilee - Vol 2 ,
• "The Subjective Analysis of Musical Tones," Nature (London), 1926
• "Musical Instruments and Their Tones"
• "A new type of Secondary Radiation," Nature , 1928
• "A new radiation," Indian Journal of Physics , 1928
• "The Indian Musical Drums," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1935
• "The Diffraction of Light by High Frequency Sound Waves: Part I," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1935 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "The Diffraction of Light by High Frequency Sound Waves: Part II," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1935 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "Nature of Thermal Agitation in Liquids," Nature (London), 1935 (with B.V. Raghavendra Rao)
• "The Diffraction of Light by High Frequency Sound Waves: Part III: Doppler Effect and Coherence Phenomena," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1936 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "The Diffraction of Light by High Frequency Sound Waves: Part IV: Generalised Theory," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1936 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "The Diffraction of Light by High Frequency Sound Waves: Part V: General Considerations - Oblique Incidence and Amplitude Changes," Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. , 1936 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "Diffraction of Light by Ultrasonic Waves," Nature (London), 1936 (with N. S. Nagendra Nath)
• "Acoustic Spectrum of Liquids," Nature (London), 1937 (with B.V. Raghavendra Rao)
• "Light Scattering and Fluid Viscosity," Nature (London), 1938 (with B.V. Raghavendra Rao)
• Aspects of Science , 1948
• The New Physics: Talks on Aspects of Science , 1951
• Lectures on Physical Optics , 1959
• Fluorescence
• Spectroscopy
• ↑ G. Venkataraman, Journey Into Light: Life and Science of C.V. Raman (Oxford University Press, 1989, ISBN 818532400X ).
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 S. Ramaseshan and C. Ramachandra Rao, C.V. Raman - A Pictorial Biography (Bangalore: Indian Academy of Sciences, 1988, ISBN 8185324077 ).
• ↑ S. Bhagavantam, "Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman: 1888-1970," Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society (London: Royal Society) 17(1971): 564-592.
• ↑ Daniel C. Harris and Michael D. Bertolucci, Symmetry and Spectroscopy (Dover Publications, 1989, ISBN 978-0486661445 ).
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 Frontiers of Knowledge: Why is the Sea Blue? Retrieved July 24, 2007.

References ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Bhagavantam, S. "Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman: 1888-1970." Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society (London: Royal Society) 17(1971): 564-592.
• Haider, S.G. “C.V. Raman”. Remembering our Leaders . New Delhi: Children's Book Trust, 1990. ISBN 817011487X
• Harris, Daniel C., and Bertolucci, Michael D. Symmetry and Spectroscopy . Dover Publications, 1989. ISBN 978-0486661445
• Ramaseshan, S. (ed.). Scientific Papers of C.V. Raman: Scattering of Light . Oxford University Press, 1989. ISBN 0195623789
• Ramaseshan, S. and C. Ramachandra Rao. C.V. Raman - A Pictorial Biography . Bangalore: Indian Academy of Sciences, 1988. ISBN 8185324077
• Venkataraman, G. Journey Into Light: Life and Science of C.V. Raman . Oxford University Press, 1989. ISBN 818532400X

External links

All links retrieved November 24, 2023.

• The Nobel Prize in Physics 1930 (Nobel Committee)
• Nobel prize internet archive
• Raman Research Institute
• Digital Repository of the Raman Research Institute
• Raman centennial Journal of the Indian Institute of Science , Volume 68 nos 11-12 (1988).

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Sir CV Raman and His Contributions

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Science and Technology

Table of Contents

Sir CV Raman and Raman Effect

Importance of the raman effect, other scientific works of sir cv raman, honours received by sir cv raman.

Prelims:   General Science

Mains: Achievements of Indians in science and technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Sir CV Raman was born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on November 7, 1888. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, the son of a teacher who taught physics and mathematics, was raised in an academic environment from an early age. After earning his M.A. in physics in 1907 from Presidency College, Madras, Sir CV Raman was involved in research in the area of atomic physics and optics. The first Asian to get the Nobel Prize in Physics and the first Bharat Ratna awardee, Sir CV Raman is best known for his advanced theory of the scattering of light - an inelastic theory of scattering .

Sir CV Raman and his student KS Krishnan found that the light, after passing through a transparent medium, changes its wavelength and energy during the scattering - the phenomenon is called the Raman Effect or Raman Scattering , which has various applications in spectroscopy.

Rayleigh had already established the phenomenon of the scattering of light and had provided reasons for the blue colour of the sky. But his work was based on the multi-wavelength light passing through the atmospheric gases that scatter the light of lower wavelengths. C. V. Raman established a more advanced theory of scattering.

Molecular Scattering of Light

When light is scattered by a molecule, the oscillating electromagnetic field of a photon induces a polarisation of the molecular electron cloud, which leaves the molecule in a higher energy state after the energy of the photon is transferred to the molecule.

• This is sometimes referred to as the virtual state of the molecule and can be thought of as the formation of a very brief-lived complex between the photon and molecule.
• The virtual state is unstable and the photon is reemitted almost immediately, as scattered light.
• The wavelength of the scattered photon is equal to that of the incident photon in the vast majority of scattering events because the energy of the molecule remains constant following its interaction with the photon. This is the main process and is known as elastic (energy of a scattering particle is conserved) or Rayleigh scattering .
• Sir CV Raman and his student, K. S. Krishnan, in 1928 found an inelastic scattering of photons by matter (medium), meaning that there is both an exchange of energy and a shift in the light's wavelength. This phenomenon is called the Raman Effect .
• They found that there is a shift in the energy of the scattered photons (light particles) - either energy absorption (called Stokes scattering ), resulting in a redshift, or energy release (called a nti-Stokes scattering ), resulting in a blue shift.

Although termed a very weak effect, as only one scattered particle out of a million undergoes the shift in wavelength, the Raman Effect has proved to be a significant achievement in physics due to its various applications.

• Nature of light: The Raman Effect further cemented the particle theory of light, which holds that light is composed of tiny particles known as photons.
• Proof of quantum theory: The study of the phenomenon of light scattering is one of the most convincing proofs of quantum theory.
• Applications: The Raman Effect (scattering) provides information on vibrational, rotational and low-frequency modes of energy of molecules, which are the basis of its numerous applications.

Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique where scattered light is used to measure the vibrational energy modes of a sample.

• Raman spectroscopy provides chemical as well as structural information of molecules.
• Raman spectroscopy extracts this information through the detection of Raman scattering from the sample.
• Both organic and inorganic compounds can be nondestructively analysed by the Raman spectroscopy. 
• Resonance Raman Spectroscopy (RRS)
• Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
• Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
• Non-linear Raman Spectroscopic Techniques

Apart from scattering of light, Sir CV Raman was associated with other scientific works. 

• Spin of photons: With Suri Bhagavantam, Sir CV Raman determined the spin of photons in 1932, which further confirmed the quantum nature of light. 
• This effect has enabled optical communication components based on laser systems through the use of modulators and switching systems.
• Study on diffraction of light: He conducted theoretical and experimental studies on the effects of X-rays on infrared vibrations in crystals exposed to ordinary light, as well as on the diffraction of light by hypersonic and ultrasonic acoustic waves.
• From 1944 to 1968, he studied the structure and characteristics of diamonds .
• In the early 1950s, he studied the structure and optical behaviour of many iridescent materials, including labradorite, feldspar, agate, quartz, opal, and pearl. 
• His last interests in the 1960s were in biological properties such as the colours of flowers and the physiology of human vision.

Sir CV Raman has been honoured with a number of awards and recognitions for his contributions.

• In 1930, Sir CV Raman was conferred with the Nobel Prize in Physics. He was the first Asian to get this recognition.
• He was one of the recipients who got the Bharat Ratna for the first time in 1954 (along with S. Radhakrishnan and C. Rajagopalachari).
• Sir CV Raman was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1957.
• Raman, a lunar crater, is named after Sir CV Raman.

National Science Day (NSD)

The day on which the Raman Effect was discovered by CV Raman (February 28, 1928) is commemorated as National Science Day in India.

• History: The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) requested that the Indian government declare February 28 as National Science Day in 1986.
• The then-Indian government agreed and announced the day as National Science Day in 1986.
• February 28, 1987, marked the first National Science Day.
• NSD 2023: "Global Science for Global Wellbeing" is NSD-2023's theme.
• The theme "Global Science for Global Wellbeing" was chosen to increase public understanding of the scientific issues in a global context that are affecting global well-being.

FAQs on Sir CV Raman

What is the raman effect, named after sir cv raman.

Sir CV Raman and his student, K. S. Krishnan, in 1928 found an inelastic scattering of photons by matter (medium), meaning that there is both an exchange of energy and a shift in the light's wavelength. This phenomenon is known as the Raman Effect.

What is the contribution of Sir CV Raman to the field of physics?

Sir CV Raman gave Raman Effect. Raman spectroscopy uses the Raman effect. He was also part of the Raman-Nath theory.

Why was Sir CV Raman awarded the Nobel Prize in physics?

On February 28, 1928, Sir C.V. Raman introduced the "Raman effect," for which he was given the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

Which honours have been received by Sir CV Raman?

In 1930, Sir CV Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. He was the first Asian to get this recognition. Sir CV Raman was one of the recipients who got the Bharat Ratna for the first time in 1954. Raman, a lunar crater, is named after him.

Where was Sir CV Raman born?

Sir CV Raman was born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on November 7, 1888.

When is National Science Day celebrated?

The day on which the Raman Effect (named after Sir CV Raman) was discovered, February 28, 1928, is commemorated as National Science Day in India.

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Sir CV Raman Biography, Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for Raman Effect

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, known as CV Raman, was an eminent Indian physicist who earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Check here Sir CV Raman Biography in detail.

Table of Contents

Sir CV Raman Biography

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, commonly known as CV Raman, was an eminent 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 Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Raman’s contributions not only significantly advanced the understanding of light and its interaction with matter but also paved the way for modern spectroscopy techniques. His life and work remain an inspiration to scientists worldwide, particularly in India.

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Sir CV Raman Biography Overview

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Sir CV Raman’s Early Life and Education

C.V. Raman was born into a Tamil Brahmin family. His father, Chandrasekhara Ramanathan Iyer, was a lecturer in mathematics and physics. From a young age, Raman showed a keen interest in science and mathematics, often conducting experiments at home. He attended local schools in Tiruchirappalli before enrolling at the prestigious Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai) for his undergraduate studies. After completing his Bachelor’s degree, he pursued a master’s degree in physics, graduating in 1907 with top honors.

Career and Contributions of Sir CV Raman in Science

Following his education, Raman began his career as a government servant but soon transitioned to academic research. He joined the Indian Finance Department as an assistant accountant general in Calcutta (now Kolkata) but continued his scientific pursuits in his spare time. In 1917, he took up a position as a professor of physics at the University of Calcutta, where he conducted the research that would later earn him the Nobel Prize.

Raman’s most significant contribution to science came in 1928 when he discovered what is now known as the “ Raman Effect .” While studying the scattering of light in various substances, he observed that when light interacts with molecules, it undergoes a slight change in wavelength. This phenomenon, later named after him, provided crucial insights into the behaviour of light and the molecular structure of materials. The discovery of the Raman Effect revolutionized spectroscopy, allowing scientists to study the vibrational and rotational modes of molecules with unprecedented precision.

In addition to his work on light scattering, Raman made significant contributions to various other areas of physics, including acoustics, magnetism, and optics. He published numerous papers throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the leading scientists of his time. In 1934, he founded the Indian Academy of Sciences and served as its president for several years, further promoting scientific research and education in India.

Awards Honoured to Sir CV Raman

Honourable works of sir c v raman, legacy and honors of cv raman.

C.V. Raman’s contributions to science were widely recognized during his lifetime. In addition to the Nobel Prize in Physics, he received numerous awards and honors from scientific societies and governments around the world. He was knighted by the British government in 1929, becoming the first Indian to receive a knighthood in the field of science.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Raman was also a passionate advocate for science education and research in India. He believed in the importance of nurturing young talent and established several research institutes and laboratories to support scientific endeavors in the country.

Check here: Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

Sir C.V. Raman’s life and work exemplify the spirit of scientific inquiry and discovery. His groundbreaking discoveries in the field of light scattering have had a profound impact on various branches of science and continue to inspire researchers today. As a pioneer of Indian science, Raman’s legacy serves as a reminder of the potential for excellence and innovation within the scientific community. His contributions will be remembered for generations to come, cementing his place as one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.

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Sir CV Raman Biography FAQs

What did sir cv raman discover.

In 1928 Venkata Raman discovered that a small portion of the scattered light acquires other wavelengths than that of the original light.

Who did C.V. Raman marry?

Lokasundari Ammal

Did C.V. Raman got Nobel Prize?

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was an Indian physicist who won the 1930 Nobel prize for physics for his work on light scattering, known as the Raman effect.

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