Srinagar, May 05: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Tuesday organized a high-profile invited lecture on “Raman Spectroscopy: Transforming Research Across Scientific Fields.”
The event was conducted as part of the outreach activity of the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS), in collaboration with the University of Kashmir and IIT Jammu.
The lecture was delivered by the distinguished scientist Prof. Chandrabhas Narayan, from the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR).
The event was attended by senior faculty members, including Prof. Prince A. Ganaie, Head, Department of Physics; Prof. Kowsar Majid, Head, Department of Chemistry; Prof. Mohd Iqram; Dr. Vijay Kumar, along with other faculty members, researchers, and students.
Prof. Narayan, a renowned expert in the field, delivered a comprehensive lecture on the fundamental principles of Raman Spectroscopy and its evolution into a cornerstone of modern scientific research.
During the technical session, he offered deep insights into how Raman Spectroscopy bridges physics, chemistry, and biology, emphasizing its pivotal role in materials science, particularly in understanding molecular vibrations and nanoscale structural properties.
He began by explaining the interaction of light with matter through processes such as transmission, reflection, absorption, and luminescence.
Prof. Narayan further distinguished between elastic (Rayleigh) scattering and the rare phenomenon of inelastic scattering, which produces the characteristic “Red Shift” (Stokes) and “Blue Shift” (Anti-Stokes) discoveries that led Sir C.V. Raman to receive the Nobel Prize.
He also recounted the historic experiment in which Raman used a simple prism and sunlight to capture the first photographic evidence of this scattering phenomenon.
A major part of the lecture focused on Raman Spectroscopy as a “molecular fingerprint,” enabling the precise identification of chemical structures through molecular vibrations such as asymmetric stretching and symmetric bending.
Prof. Narayan also highlighted the significance of analyzing peak shifts to evaluate internal stress and strain in materials, along with the importance of spatial resolution and penetration depth in advanced imaging applications.
The discussion was further extended to advanced characterization techniques, particularly Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES).
He explained how ARPES allows scientists to directly observe the electronic structure of solids by mapping the energy and momentum of electrons, making it a powerful tool for studying complex materials and phenomena such as the Quantum Hall Effect.
He emphasized that such spectroscopic techniques are fundamental to modern condensed matter physics.
Earlier, the coordinator of the event, Dr. Vijay Kumar, welcomed the Chief Guest and stated that such lectures by eminent scientists like Prof. Chandrabhas Narayan provide valuable exposure to advanced concepts and help bridge the gap between classroom learning and cutting-edge research.
He further emphasized that collaborative platforms under INYAS, in association with institutions like IIT Jammu and the University of Kashmir, play a crucial role in promoting scientific curiosity, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning among young researchers.
In his message, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, lauded the efforts of the Department of Physics and INYAS for bringing such a high-level academic event to the campus.
“Such expert interactions play a key role in strengthening the research ecosystem, encouraging innovation, and exposing students to advanced developments in science and technology,” he said.
Institute Registrar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, also appreciated the smooth conduct of the programme and commended the coordination between collaborating institutions, including IIT Jammu and the University of Kashmir.
“Such academic collaborations provide valuable exposure to students and researchers, enhancing their understanding of emerging scientific fields,” he added.
The event drew more than 85 attendees, including delegates from NIT Srinagar, University of Kashmir, IIT Jammu, Central University of Kashmir, and several government colleges from Srinagar and other parts of the region.
The diverse academic representation added significant value to the discussions and interactions during the event.
The programme was anchored by Aswa Shah, who is currently interning under Dr. Vijay Kumar in the Department of Physics.
