Contents
Homi J. Bhabha
Building the institutions behind India’s nuclear programme.
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · Bhabha scattering
- Born
- 30 October 1909
- Birthplace
- Mumbai, India
- Died
- 24 January 1966
More people
Homi J. Bhabha
Homi J. Bhabha was an Indian theoretical physicist and scientific organiser. After research on particles and cosmic rays at Cambridge, he established institutions for fundamental science and nuclear research in India. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre bears his name.
Early life
Bombay upbringing
Grew up in a Parsi family with close ties to the Tata family.
A change of direction
Went to Cambridge to study engineering before persuading his father to support physics.
Career
- 1930s
Cambridge physicist
Moved from engineering studies into theoretical physics and earned his doctorate.
- 1939–1940
Research in India
Stayed in India after war broke out and joined the Indian Institute of Science.
- 1945
Founding TIFR
Established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay.
- 1948–1954
Atomic-energy leadership
Chaired the Atomic Energy Commission and established the Trombay research centre.
Contributions
Bhabha scattering
Calculated the scattering of electrons and their antimatter counterparts, positrons.
Cosmic-ray showers
With Walter Heitler, explained cascades of particles produced by high-energy radiation.
Trombay establishment
Built a centre for nuclear science, reactors and related technologies.
Beyond physics
Art and music
Painted, collected art and took a close interest in classical music.
Death in the Alps
Died in the crash of Air India Flight 101 on Mont Blanc in 1966.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗BARC history ↗Bhabha and atomic energy ↗Photo: Unknown (Mondadori Publishers). Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
