Homi Jehangir Bhabha : Architect of Modern Science and Technology in India

Abstract

After describing Bhabha's early life at Bombay, now Mumbai, we discuss his research career at Cambridge, where he made many distinguished contributions to positron physics, cosmic rays and the meson theory. These include theory of positron-electron scattering (Bhabha scattering), Bhabha-Heitler theory of cosmic ray showers and prediction of heavier electrons (ie. muons). Later in his life, after 1945, Bhabha worked in India at Bangalore and Mumbai. In India Bhabha laid foundations of modern nuclear science and technology. He emerged as a successful institution builder founding Tata Institute of Fundamental Research at Mumbai and the Laboratories of Atomic Energy Establishment at Trombay, now renamed as Bhabha Atomic Research Center.