E.C.G.SUDARSHAN

Ennackal Chandy George  Sudarshan

Born on September 16  1931, into Ennackel  family

  at Pallam in Kottayam 

Died on 14  May  2018 at the age of  86

Father E.I Chandy  and mother Achamma

Graduated from Madras Crystian College in 1951

Post graduation from university of Madras

Worked with Homi Bhabha , father of Indian nuclear program at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research ( TIFR), Mumbai .

Worked with American physicist Robert Marshak  at University of Rochester in New York.  They founded the V-A theory of weak force , which eventually paved the way  for electroweak theory.

Was a professor at the University of Texas for the past 40 years

He is a globally recognized theoretical physicist

He was recommended for the Nobel Prize for physics nine times but never awarded

Major contributions are

• ·         Optical coherence.
• ·         Sudersan- Glauber representation.
• ·         V-A theory.
• ·         Tachyons.
• ·         Quantum zero effect.
• ·         Open quantum system.
• ·         Spin statistics theorem.
• ·         Non –invariance groups.
• ·         Positive maps of density matrices.
• ·         Quantum computation.

Honored with several awards

• ·         Kerala Sastra Puraskaram for life time accomplishments  - 2013
• ·         ICTP Dirac Medal   -2010
• ·         Padma Vibhushan  -2007
• ·         Majorana Prize  - 2006
• ·         TWAS Prize   -1985
• ·         First Prize in Physics - 1985
• ·         Bose Medal (1977)
• ·         C.V.Raman  award (1970)

Bibliography

• ·         Doubt and Certainity with Tony Rothman
• ·         Classical Dynamics with N. Mukunda
• ·         Fundamentals with Quantum Optics with John R Klauder
• ·         Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics with Robert Marshak
• ·         From Classical to Quantum Mechanics with Giampiero Esposito and Giuseppe Marmo
• ·         Pauli and the Spin – Statistics  Theorem with Lan Duck and Wolfgang Pauli

Ignored

·         Quantum representation of coherent light known as Sudarshan – Glauber  representation . Glauber was awarded Nobel Prize in physics in the year 2005 for the contribution to the quantum theory of optical coherence.

Ten scientists wrote to the Royal Swedish Academy on Prf. Sudarsan’s omission in 2005

The letter by Dr. Padmanabhan described as “ grave miscarriage of justice in overlooking the fundamental contribution of E.C.G.Sudarshan  to the theory of quantum optics.”

As per other eminent scholors 

Popular science writer Pro: S. Sivadas 

“  He was a complete human being . Science, Philosophy , Spirituality all transcended into an aesthetics of its own in his hands”

“Without doubt we can be proud of his as the greatest human being Kerala has gifted to the world of science in the last century”

Leading astrophysicist Thanu Padmabnabhan  

who is  a distinguished professor at the inter- university centre for astronomy  and Astrophysics Pune . Who is now a visiting professor at the Pauli Center for Theoretical studies at Zurich in Switzerland “Most brilliant theoretical physicist of Indian origin in the contemporary period”

Through an email to The Hindu daily  Dr. Prabhakaran express as “ Two of his contributions , one related to weak interactions and the other I the development of quantum optics , deserved Nobel Prize. The work in quantum optics did get a Nobel but he was not a recipient for reasons which could only be non- academic”

“ Prof Sudarshan’s research spanned a wide range of topics and in each of them he could make brilliant contributions of fundamental nature”

“ Prof Sudashan was a victim of white supremacy in being denied the Nobel Prize"

Dr. Joseph one among the ten scientists

 “ The eminent scientist faced neglect from physicists abroad. One half of the 2005 Nobel Prize in physics went to Roy .J. Glauber of Harvard University  for the contribution of the quantum theory of optical coherence

“ The traditional Hinduism fascinated him. Prof Sudarshan found close parallels between science and Indian philosophy.”

Prof  Anil Shaji  

Associate professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvanthapuram , under whom he did his PhD on open quantum systems and quantum informations at the university of Texas “ Prof Sudarshan had deep knowledge of the subject. It was not at the superfishual level. He always had the interest and energy to earn first hand knowledge”

“ As a teacher he has deep insights and used interesting metaphors to explain complex topics”

Prof  Sudarshan used to sign his name as George C Ennackal  changed to ECG Sudarshan after his marriage to Mrs Lalitha , who was his student.  He considered himself a Vedatian Hindu. He visited a lot of temples. He was deeply influenced by Vedanta and Hinduism.