In the discipline of quantum physics, names like Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr often take centre stage. But there’s another figure who deserves as much recognition: Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, whose pioneering work on particles indistinguishability revolutionised modern physics, introducing the concept of the particle later named “boson” in his honour, and laying the foundation for discoveries like the Higgs boson nearly a century later.
Now, as we commemorate 100 years of Bose-Einstein Statistics, it is incredible to see Bose’s legacy celebrated around the world. His work didn’t just shape the course of quantum mechanics, it changed how we understand the building blocks of the universe.
Born on January 1, 1894, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Bose showed remarkable talent in mathematics from an early age. He graduated with top honours in physics from Presidency College. Despite weak eyesight, his passion for science marked him as one of India’s most promising young scientists.
Motivated by his teacher, Jagadish Chandra Bose, a pioneer in radio waves, Bose was inspired to explore the untapped potential of physics and ventured into quantum mechanics, where his contributions would immortalise his name.
In 1917, he began teaching physics and applied mathematics at the University College of Science, Calcutta, where he collaborated with physicist Meghnad Saha. Together, they published a paper on the kinetic theory of gases in Philosophical Magazine, developing molecular understanding in statistical mechanics.
Bose and Saha also translated Albert Einstein’s key works on relativity from German to English. This dedication to widening scientific knowledge became a defining feature of Bose’s career.
In the early 1920s, Bose was studying Max Planck’s quantum theory, which........