CV Raman Biography, Achievements, and Contributions 

Sir CV Raman Biography: Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman , better known as Sir CV Raman , was one of India’s most celebrated physicists. He was famed for his groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928, CV Raman’s pioneering work in the field of light scattering earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect on February 28, 1928, which led to significant advancements in understanding light scattering. Keep on reading to know more about CV Raman Biography, achievements, and contributions to making India proud.

Sir CV Raman Biography

Early Life and Education of Sir CV Raman

• Early Career in Government Service : Raman initially embarked on a career outside of academia, joining the Indian Finance Service as an Assistant Accountant General in Kolkata. Despite the demands of his government position, his commitment to science led him to conduct research at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in his free time.
• Shift to Academia : In 1917, Raman made a pivotal career shift by resigning from his government role to accept the prestigious Palit Chair of Physics at Calcutta University . This move allowed him to fully dedicate his career to research and teaching, leading to significant scientific contributions.
• Appointment at IISc : In 1933, Raman was appointed as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. During his tenure, he advanced the institute’s research capabilities and influenced a generation of scientists until his retirement in 1948.

Sir CV Raman Discoveries and Major Contributions

• The Raman Effect : What is Raman effect is the most asked question. Perhaps his most famous discovery, the Raman Effect or Raman scattering , demonstrated that light changes its wavelength when traversing transparent materials. This phenomenon, observed using a self-built spectroscope, earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 and remains a cornerstone in spectroscopy.
• Acoustics and Musical Instruments : A passionate student of music, Raman conducted pioneering studies on the acoustics of Indian instruments like the tabla and mridangam . He also developed theories on the transverse vibrations of string instruments and studied sound transmission in England’s Whispering Gallery .
• Color of Sea Water : Raman challenged existing theories about the color of seawater, using a spectroscope to demonstrate that the blue color results from selective absorption of longer wavelengths, particularly in the red and orange spectrum.
• Spectroscopic Behavior of Crystals : In 1948, Raman explored crystal dynamics through spectroscopic methods, contributing to the understanding of crystal compositions and light interactions in gems like labradorite, agate, and opal.
• Angular Momentum of Photons : Alongside a student, Raman discovered that light photons possess angular momentum , or spin, which transfers to atoms upon absorption, contributing to quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.
• Establishment of Scientific Institutions : Raman founded the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru in 1949, where he served as the first director, fostering research and inspiring future generations in scientific pursuits.

Why National Science Day is Celebrated?

Sir CV Raman Honors and Awards

Notable Quotes by Sir CV Raman