Research with style: The story of Raman's study of light scattering

Abstract

Nature had a very profound impact on C.V. Raman and its contemplation influenced his scientific thinking. In early 1922, Raman, perceived that Rayleigh Scattering takes place in a discontinuous manner and that the quantum nature of light must play an important role in the phenomenon of light scattering. This led to his suggesting that Maxwell's field equations will have to be quantized. These ideas launched him on a series of experimental researches which culminated- in the discovery of the Raman Effect. An attempt is made here to describe the atmosphere that existed in his laboratory during this period, the excitement Raman felt, the enthusiasm he transmitted to his students, and the thrill they experienced in working with him.