Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry
Encyclopedia
Professor Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry or R. M. Chaudhry (July 1, 1903- December 4, 1988), FPAS HI
, NI, SI
, Skdt
, was a Pakistani nuclear physicist and a professor of particle physics at the Government College University
. He is best known and widely regarded as the pioneer of experimental
nuclear physics
research
in Pakistan
.
He is considered one of the main wings and instruments of Pakistan's nuclear weapons research program. Along with Dr. Abdus salam
and Dr. Ishrat Hussain Usmani
, Dr. Rafi built and orchestrated Pakistan's nuclear research program.
While serving as Professor
of nuclear physics
at Government College University
; Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry and his students became prime instruments for the development of Pakistan's nuclear research program during the 1970s. In an interview with a group of journalists, Dr. Samar Mubarakmand
, one of his students, called Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry as "the true father of the Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme". To his student, he is often considered as the "Father of Nuclear Physics in Pakistan" due to his pioneering research work in nuclear physics in Pakistan.
of Eastern Punjab
.In Pakistan, he owened some land in chack no 157/E.B near Arif wala Distt Sahiwal.N Ab his high-school from Rotak District passed the university entrance exam with highest marks, and earned a scholarship awarded by the Viceroy Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading
. He moved Aligarh to attend Aligarh University and enrolled as an student of Chemical engineering
in 1923. But after attending an engineering physics
course, Chaudhry decided to change and began his studies in thermodynamics
and multivariable calculus
. He succeeded as a brilliant physics
student, and gained a respected reputation among his peers and professors.
In 1927, Chaudhry took his B.Sc.
in Experimental physics
, and followed by his M.Sc.
in physics in 1929 with a First Class Honours
which remained an academic record for quarter of a century in the history of the Aligarh University. The same year, Chaudhry gained attention from Nawab of Bhopal
, and sent him a letter asking for a meeting. Hamidullah Khan
, the Nawab of Bhopal
of princely state of Bhopal awarded a science scholarship for higher studies. Chaudhry traveled to United Kingdom
to study for his doctoral studies. Chaudhry joined the Cavendish Laboratory
of the University of Cambridge
. At Cambridge, Chaudhry studied Calculus of mathematical Integrals, and learned Tensor calculus, quantum physics, and general relativity
under renowned Nobel laureate in Chemistry
Ernest Rutherford
, who later who became known as the father of nuclear physics in the world.
At Cavendish, he studied with Mark Oliphant
who particularly influenced him to study nuclear physics. Chaudhry, with Oliphant carried, research in artificial disintegration
of the atomic nucleus
and positive ions. In 1933, Chaudhry did his D.Phil
in Nuclear physics
under Ernest Rutherford, and reluctantly returned to British Indian Empire in 1933.
of Physics at the Islamia College, where he stayed until 1938. In 1938, Chaudhry moved back to him Alma mater
— Aligarh Muslim University
(AMU) — to teach physics there. At AMU, he became Head of the Department of Physics where he created a lively physics group and engaged research in nuclear and atomic physics there. In 1944, Chaudhry was contacted by Oliphant who offered him back to Cavendish Laboratory. Chaudhry went to United Kingdom, where he joined Oxford University's Nuffield College
. In 1946, he joined Birmingham University as Nuffield Fellow at the invitation of Professor Sir Mark Oliphant. Along with Oliphant and Bhabha
, Chaudhry created a vital group of physicists that took research in theory of Gamma and Beta decay
, with the inclusion of the neutrino postulated by Wolfgang Pauli in 1930, Compton scattering
, and the behavior of slow neutrons during the atomic bombardment process. On the recommendation of Oliphant, Chaudhry joined Atomic Energy Research Establishment
to continue research in nuclear physics. There, he established a laboratory to conduct research in nuclear power plants. There, he applied his research work on the behavior slow neutrons in research nuclear reactor. There, Chaudhry observed and calculated the heavier particles emitted in an alpha decay and its extension to the Cluster decay
.
, while in Great-Britain, he was personally contacted by Indian Premier
Jawaharlal Nehru
. Nehru offered him a senior position at the Physics Laboratory of India. Chaudhry consulted this offer to his physicist friend Mark Oliphant at Birmingham University. Oliphant wrote a letter to Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah
, Governor-General
that time. The letter encouraged Jinnah engaged research in Nuclear technology
, particularly Nuclear physics. According to Oliphant, no other Muslim Scientist was available in the subcontinent except Dr. Chaudhary who could prove useful for the newly born country in the field of Nuclear Technology. However, Nehru came to know of this development, and personally offered him a position of "Deputy Directorship" of Physics Laboratory of India.
While the request was being considered, Jinnah sent him a letter where Jinnah had personally requested him to come to Pakistan, and join Government College University
. After being request by Jinnah, Chaudhry had consulted Oliphant and his students where he decided to move to Pakistan. Nehru then again contacted Chaudhry via telephone, but Chaudhry had declined the offer. In 1948, Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry, along with one of his student dr. Tahir Hussain
, migrated to Pakistan and joined Government College University
as a professor
of nuclear physics
as well as the Head of the Physics Department in 1948.
Cockcroft-Walton accelerator in the High Tension Laboratory (HTL) in 1954 for carrying out basic research in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Rafi led the scientific projects that tackled the fundamental problems of Physics concerning Gaseous diffusion
, Ion and electron impact phenomena, nuclear physics, radioactivity and cosmic rays was carried out. The HTL produces a number of scientists and became the center of attention of foreign scientists. Later in the future, during the late 1970s, HTL became a focal point for Pakistan's nuclear weapons research program. The research carried out at the laboratory resulted in research publications in Nature
and it was visited by the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
in 1958. His abilities as a great scientist, combining theoretical and applied nuclear physics, were acknowledge by all. At HTL, he influenced many physicists, who studied under him, such as N. M. Butt and Samar Mubarakmand
, who became the senior scientists in Pakistan's indigenous nuclear development . While at GCU, he developed an extreme cordial relationship with Abdus Salam
, and supported him unconditionally as Salam wanted to established a research institute. After retirement from Government College, Lahore in 1958 he continued as Director of High Tension Laboratory till 1965.
where he engaged the research in nuclear technology. With the establishment of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
, Chaudhry served its first director. Chaudhry was an instrumental in PINSTECH where he led the installation of nuclear particle accelerator. At Pinstech, dr. Rafi published 42 research papers, and due to its sensitivity, the papers are highly classified. Rafi was an administrative and influential figure in the establishment of PARR-I reactor. Rafi was part of Abdus Salam's team that supervised the first reactor Criticality
in Pinstech institute. In 1967, Rafi supervised the team of scientists at Pinstech, that successfully produces the first batch of radioisotopes at Pinstech institute.
In 1968, Chaudhry went to United States
with a fellowship awarded by University of California at Berkley. There, he was joined by Hafeez Qureshi, a mechanical engineer who built the weapons in 1970s. In 1969, Chaudhry moved to University of Chicago
where he did his research at Argonne National Laboratory
(ANL). In 1970, Chaudhry with Qureshi visited National Museum of the United States Air Force
where they had seen the actual design of Fat Man
— an implosion device built during the World War II.
In 1971, after the 1971 Indo-Pak Winter War
, Chaudhry returned to Pakistan and joined Government College University. In January 1972, Salam sent a telegram to Chaudhry's place, in which, Salam asked Chaudhry to come to Multan in a shortest time possible. Chaudhry represented the HTL's delegation at the Multan Meeting, convened by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. During the meeting, Chaudhry spoke, as he said: I was perhaps the only one among the scientists who had seen an actual atom bomb. Chaudhry was immediately posted at Pinstech institute, in which he was made director of Radiation Physics Division (RPD). Chaudhry was among one of the senior scientists that built the first nuclear pile PARR-II reactor at Pinstech. Under Chaudhry, the RPD scientists engaged research in radiation physics.
and continued to work there as an honorary Professor and was made Professor Emeritus in 1977. Nuclear physics was a life long passion for Chaudhry which remained until his death. Chaudhry peacefully died at the age of 85 in Lahore.
awarded him Nishan-e-Imtiaz — the first high civil award
. In 2004, the "High Tension Laboratory (HTL)" was renamed as "Rafi Chaudhry High Tension Laboratory" by the then-President of Pakistan
, General Pervez Musharaff in the honor of Chaudhry. Due to his work, scientists at PINSTECH as Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry as "Father of the Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme".
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
The Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
, NI, SI
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz , is the third highest honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes the individuals who made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors"...
, Skdt
Civil decorations of Pakistan
The Pakistan Civil Awards were established on March 19, 1957, following the proclamation of Pakistan as an independent Republic on March 23, 1956. The announcement of civil awards is generally made once a year on Independence Day, August 14, and their investiture takes place on the following...
, was a Pakistani nuclear physicist and a professor of particle physics at the Government College University
Government College University
Government College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan...
. He is best known and widely regarded as the pioneer of experimental
Experimental physics
Within the field of physics, experimental physics is the category of disciplines and sub-disciplines concerned with the observation of physical phenomena in order to gather data about the universe...
nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
He is considered one of the main wings and instruments of Pakistan's nuclear weapons research program. Along with Dr. Abdus salam
Abdus Salam
Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
and Dr. Ishrat Hussain Usmani
Ishrat Hussain Usmani
Ishrat Hussain Usmani, , , , best known as Dr. I. H. Usmani, was a Pakistani bureaucrat and an atomic physicist who was the chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 1960 to 1972; as well as the Co-chairman of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission...
, Dr. Rafi built and orchestrated Pakistan's nuclear research program.
While serving as Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
at Government College University
Government College University
Government College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan...
; Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry and his students became prime instruments for the development of Pakistan's nuclear research program during the 1970s. In an interview with a group of journalists, Dr. Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand , , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, who served as the founding chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission from 2001 till 2007. Samar Mubarak-Mand launched the Missile Integration Programme in 1987 which was successfully completed in 2005...
, one of his students, called Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry as "the true father of the Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme". To his student, he is often considered as the "Father of Nuclear Physics in Pakistan" due to his pioneering research work in nuclear physics in Pakistan.
Early life and education
Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry was born in 1903 to a middle class (Rao - Ranghar ) - Rajput family in Kahnaur — a small village in Rohtak districtRohtak District
Rohtak district is one of the 21 districts of Haryana state in northern India. It is located in the southeast of Haryana and northwest of Delhi, bounded by Jind and Sonipat districts to the north, Jhajjar and Sonipat districts to the east, and Hissar, Sirsa, and Bhiwani districts to the west...
of Eastern Punjab
East Punjab
East Punjab was the part of the Punjab region that went to India following the Partition of the Punjab Province of British India between India and Pakistan in 1947...
.In Pakistan, he owened some land in chack no 157/E.B near Arif wala Distt Sahiwal.N Ab his high-school from Rotak District passed the university entrance exam with highest marks, and earned a scholarship awarded by the Viceroy Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading
Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading
Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, PC, KC , was an English lawyer, jurist and politician...
. He moved Aligarh to attend Aligarh University and enrolled as an student of Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
in 1923. But after attending an engineering physics
Engineering physics
Engineering physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics in order to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of these three disciplines. Fundamental physics is combined with problem solving and engineering skills, which then has broad...
course, Chaudhry decided to change and began his studies in thermodynamics
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a physical science that studies the effects on material bodies, and on radiation in regions of space, of transfer of heat and of work done on or by the bodies or radiation...
and multivariable calculus
Multivariable calculus
Multivariable calculus is the extension of calculus in one variable to calculus in more than one variable: the differentiated and integrated functions involve multiple variables, rather than just one....
. He succeeded as a brilliant physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
student, and gained a respected reputation among his peers and professors.
In 1927, Chaudhry took his B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Experimental physics
Experimental physics
Within the field of physics, experimental physics is the category of disciplines and sub-disciplines concerned with the observation of physical phenomena in order to gather data about the universe...
, and followed by his M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in physics in 1929 with a First Class Honours
British undergraduate degree classification
The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for undergraduate degrees in the United Kingdom...
which remained an academic record for quarter of a century in the history of the Aligarh University. The same year, Chaudhry gained attention from Nawab of Bhopal
Nawab of Bhopal
The Nawabs of Bhopal were the Muslim rulers of the princely state of Bhopal, now part of the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, in India. The last Nawab was Hamidullah Khan, who acceded his state to India in 1947....
, and sent him a letter asking for a meeting. Hamidullah Khan
Hamidullah Khan
Hajji Nawab Hafiz Muhammad Hamidullah Khan was the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, which merged with the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. He ruled from 1926 when his mother, Begum Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum, abdicated in his favor, until 1949 and held the honorific title until his death in 1960...
, the Nawab of Bhopal
Nawab of Bhopal
The Nawabs of Bhopal were the Muslim rulers of the princely state of Bhopal, now part of the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, in India. The last Nawab was Hamidullah Khan, who acceded his state to India in 1947....
of princely state of Bhopal awarded a science scholarship for higher studies. Chaudhry traveled to United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to study for his doctoral studies. Chaudhry joined the Cavendish Laboratory
Cavendish Laboratory
The Cavendish Laboratory is the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge, and is part of the university's School of Physical Sciences. It was opened in 1874 as a teaching laboratory....
of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. At Cambridge, Chaudhry studied Calculus of mathematical Integrals, and learned Tensor calculus, quantum physics, and general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
under renowned Nobel laureate in Chemistry
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to scientists in the various fields of chemistry. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895, awarded for outstanding contributions in chemistry, physics, literature,...
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson OM, FRS was a New Zealand-born British chemist and physicist who became known as the father of nuclear physics...
, who later who became known as the father of nuclear physics in the world.
At Cavendish, he studied with Mark Oliphant
Mark Oliphant
Sir Marcus 'Mark' Laurence Elwin Oliphant, AC, KBE, FRS was an Australian physicist and humanitarian who played a fundamental role in the first experimental demonstration of nuclear fusion and also the development of the atomic bomb.During his retirement, Oliphant was appointed as the Governor of...
who particularly influenced him to study nuclear physics. Chaudhry, with Oliphant carried, research in artificial disintegration
Artificial disintegration
Artificial disintegration is the term coined by Ernest Rutherford for the process by which an atomic nucleus is broken down by bombarding it with high speed alpha particles, either from a particle accelerator, or a naturally decaying radioactive substance such as radium, as Rutherford originally...
of the atomic nucleus
Atomic nucleus
The nucleus is the very dense region consisting of protons and neutrons at the center of an atom. It was discovered in 1911, as a result of Ernest Rutherford's interpretation of the famous 1909 Rutherford experiment performed by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden, under the direction of Rutherford. The...
and positive ions. In 1933, Chaudhry did his D.Phil
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
under Ernest Rutherford, and reluctantly returned to British Indian Empire in 1933.
Professorship
At age 30, Chaudhry moved to Lahore and took the academic professorship at the Lahore Islamia College, and became professor of Physics there. In 1935, he became Chairman of DepartmentAcademic department
An academic department is a division of a university or school faculty devoted to a particular academic discipline. This article covers United States usage at the university level....
of Physics at the Islamia College, where he stayed until 1938. In 1938, Chaudhry moved back to him Alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
— Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
(AMU) — to teach physics there. At AMU, he became Head of the Department of Physics where he created a lively physics group and engaged research in nuclear and atomic physics there. In 1944, Chaudhry was contacted by Oliphant who offered him back to Cavendish Laboratory. Chaudhry went to United Kingdom, where he joined Oxford University's Nuffield College
Nuffield College, Oxford
Nuffield College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is an all-graduate college and primarily a research establishment, specialising in the social sciences, particularly economics, politics and sociology. It is a research centre in the social sciences...
. In 1946, he joined Birmingham University as Nuffield Fellow at the invitation of Professor Sir Mark Oliphant. Along with Oliphant and Bhabha
Homi J. Bhabha
Homi Jehangir Bhabha, FRS was an Indian nuclear physicist and the chief architect of the Indian atomic energy program...
, Chaudhry created a vital group of physicists that took research in theory of Gamma and Beta decay
Beta decay
In nuclear physics, beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted from an atom. There are two types of beta decay: beta minus and beta plus. In the case of beta decay that produces an electron emission, it is referred to as beta minus , while in the case of a...
, with the inclusion of the neutrino postulated by Wolfgang Pauli in 1930, Compton scattering
Compton scattering
In physics, Compton scattering is a type of scattering that X-rays and gamma rays undergo in matter. The inelastic scattering of photons in matter results in a decrease in energy of an X-ray or gamma ray photon, called the Compton effect...
, and the behavior of slow neutrons during the atomic bombardment process. On the recommendation of Oliphant, Chaudhry joined Atomic Energy Research Establishment
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
The Atomic Energy Research Establishment near Harwell, Oxfordshire, was the main centre for atomic energy research and development in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1990s.-Founding:...
to continue research in nuclear physics. There, he established a laboratory to conduct research in nuclear power plants. There, he applied his research work on the behavior slow neutrons in research nuclear reactor. There, Chaudhry observed and calculated the heavier particles emitted in an alpha decay and its extension to the Cluster decay
Cluster decay
Cluster decay is a type of nuclear decay in which a parent atomic nucleus with A nucleons and Z protons emits a cluster of Ne neutrons and Ze protons heavier than an alpha particle but lighter than a typical binary fission fragment Cluster decay (also named heavy particle radioactivity or heavy...
.
Return to India
In 1948, months after the Partition of IndiaPartition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
, while in Great-Britain, he was personally contacted by Indian Premier
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
. Nehru offered him a senior position at the Physics Laboratory of India. Chaudhry consulted this offer to his physicist friend Mark Oliphant at Birmingham University. Oliphant wrote a letter to Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
, Governor-General
Governor-General of Pakistan
The Governor-General of Pakistan was the representative in Pakistan of the Crown from the country's independence in 1947. When Pakistan was proclaimed a republic in 1956 the connection with the British monarchy ended, and the office of Governor-General was abolished.-History:Pakistan gained...
that time. The letter encouraged Jinnah engaged research in Nuclear technology
Nuclear technology
Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei. Among the notable nuclear technologies are nuclear power, nuclear medicine, and nuclear weapons...
, particularly Nuclear physics. According to Oliphant, no other Muslim Scientist was available in the subcontinent except Dr. Chaudhary who could prove useful for the newly born country in the field of Nuclear Technology. However, Nehru came to know of this development, and personally offered him a position of "Deputy Directorship" of Physics Laboratory of India.
While the request was being considered, Jinnah sent him a letter where Jinnah had personally requested him to come to Pakistan, and join Government College University
Government College University
Government College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan...
. After being request by Jinnah, Chaudhry had consulted Oliphant and his students where he decided to move to Pakistan. Nehru then again contacted Chaudhry via telephone, but Chaudhry had declined the offer. In 1948, Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry, along with one of his student dr. Tahir Hussain
Tahir Hussain (physicist)
Dr. Prof. Tahir Hussain was a Pakistani nuclear physicist and a emeritus professor of nuclear physics at the Government College University whose research was engaged in Long-lived fission product and Electrostatic nuclear accelerators...
, migrated to Pakistan and joined Government College University
Government College University
Government College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan...
as a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
as well as the Head of the Physics Department in 1948.
Moving to Pakistan
Following his settlement in Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan asked him to engage research in physics at the Government College University. In 1952, Dr. Rafi established the "High Tension Laboratory" (now “Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics”) as an off shoot of the Physics Department at Government College. Dr. Rafi was an instrumental figure in the installation of 1.2 MeVMegavolt
*A megavolt is 1 million volts in electronics and physics.*Megavolt is a villain in the Disney animated series Darkwing Duck.*Megavolt is a villain in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ...
Cockcroft-Walton accelerator in the High Tension Laboratory (HTL) in 1954 for carrying out basic research in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Rafi led the scientific projects that tackled the fundamental problems of Physics concerning Gaseous diffusion
Gaseous diffusion
Gaseous diffusion is a technology used to produce enriched uranium by forcing gaseous uranium hexafluoride through semi-permeable membranes. This produces a slight separation between the molecules containing uranium-235 and uranium-238 . By use of a large cascade of many stages, high separations...
, Ion and electron impact phenomena, nuclear physics, radioactivity and cosmic rays was carried out. The HTL produces a number of scientists and became the center of attention of foreign scientists. Later in the future, during the late 1970s, HTL became a focal point for Pakistan's nuclear weapons research program. The research carried out at the laboratory resulted in research publications in Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
and it was visited by the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
in 1958. His abilities as a great scientist, combining theoretical and applied nuclear physics, were acknowledge by all. At HTL, he influenced many physicists, who studied under him, such as N. M. Butt and Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand , , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, who served as the founding chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission from 2001 till 2007. Samar Mubarak-Mand launched the Missile Integration Programme in 1987 which was successfully completed in 2005...
, who became the senior scientists in Pakistan's indigenous nuclear development . While at GCU, he developed an extreme cordial relationship with Abdus Salam
Abdus Salam
Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
, and supported him unconditionally as Salam wanted to established a research institute. After retirement from Government College, Lahore in 1958 he continued as Director of High Tension Laboratory till 1965.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
In 1960, per Salam recommendation, Chaudhry joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy CommissionPakistan Atomic Energy Commission
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, , is an administrative governmental and autonomous science and technology governmental department of Pakistan, responsible for development of nuclear energy and development of nuclear power sector in Pakistan...
where he engaged the research in nuclear technology. With the establishment of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, or commonly known as "PINSTECH", is a multi-program science and technology national research institute managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The PINSTECH offers a post-graduate and post-doctoral research in the field of nuclear...
, Chaudhry served its first director. Chaudhry was an instrumental in PINSTECH where he led the installation of nuclear particle accelerator. At Pinstech, dr. Rafi published 42 research papers, and due to its sensitivity, the papers are highly classified. Rafi was an administrative and influential figure in the establishment of PARR-I reactor. Rafi was part of Abdus Salam's team that supervised the first reactor Criticality
Subcritical reactor
A subcritical reactor is a nuclear fission reactor that produces fission without achieving criticality. Instead of a sustaining chain reaction, a subcritical reactor uses additional neutrons from an outside source...
in Pinstech institute. In 1967, Rafi supervised the team of scientists at Pinstech, that successfully produces the first batch of radioisotopes at Pinstech institute.
In 1968, Chaudhry went to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with a fellowship awarded by University of California at Berkley. There, he was joined by Hafeez Qureshi, a mechanical engineer who built the weapons in 1970s. In 1969, Chaudhry moved to University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
where he did his research at Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory is the first science and engineering research national laboratory in the United States, receiving this designation on July 1, 1946. It is the largest national laboratory by size and scope in the Midwest...
(ANL). In 1970, Chaudhry with Qureshi visited National Museum of the United States Air Force
National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display...
where they had seen the actual design of Fat Man
Fat Man
"Fat Man" is the codename for the atomic bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan, by the United States on August 9, 1945. It was the second of the only two nuclear weapons to be used in warfare to date , and its detonation caused the third man-made nuclear explosion. The name also refers more...
— an implosion device built during the World War II.
In 1971, after the 1971 Indo-Pak Winter War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
, Chaudhry returned to Pakistan and joined Government College University. In January 1972, Salam sent a telegram to Chaudhry's place, in which, Salam asked Chaudhry to come to Multan in a shortest time possible. Chaudhry represented the HTL's delegation at the Multan Meeting, convened by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. During the meeting, Chaudhry spoke, as he said: I was perhaps the only one among the scientists who had seen an actual atom bomb. Chaudhry was immediately posted at Pinstech institute, in which he was made director of Radiation Physics Division (RPD). Chaudhry was among one of the senior scientists that built the first nuclear pile PARR-II reactor at Pinstech. Under Chaudhry, the RPD scientists engaged research in radiation physics.
Post career
In 1973, Rafi moved back to High Tension Laboratory at GCU Lahore. In 1975, Dr. Rafi Mohammad joined the Centre for Solid State Physics at the Punjab UniversityUniversity of the Punjab
University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab is the oldest and biggest University of Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its...
and continued to work there as an honorary Professor and was made Professor Emeritus in 1977. Nuclear physics was a life long passion for Chaudhry which remained until his death. Chaudhry peacefully died at the age of 85 in Lahore.
Recognition and Honor
Chaudhry had been an influential figure at the Government College University. And, his work in PAEC and PINSTECH has been far reaching. In 1998, on personal recommendation of Noor Muhammad Butt, the Government of PakistanGovernment of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
awarded him Nishan-e-Imtiaz — the first high civil award
Civil decorations of Pakistan
The Pakistan Civil Awards were established on March 19, 1957, following the proclamation of Pakistan as an independent Republic on March 23, 1956. The announcement of civil awards is generally made once a year on Independence Day, August 14, and their investiture takes place on the following...
. In 2004, the "High Tension Laboratory (HTL)" was renamed as "Rafi Chaudhry High Tension Laboratory" by the then-President of Pakistan
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
, General Pervez Musharaff in the honor of Chaudhry. Due to his work, scientists at PINSTECH as Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry as "Father of the Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme".
Family of Physicists
Dr Rafi had nine children, all physicists. The most distinguished ones are Dr Anwar Chaudhri, currently working in Germany, and Dr Munawar Chaudhri, working at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.Awards
- Hilal-i-ImtiazHilal-i-ImtiazThe Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
(2004) - Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1998)
- Sitara-i-ImtiazSitara-i-ImtiazThe Sitara-i-Imtiaz , is the third highest honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes the individuals who made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors"...
(1965) - Sitara-i-Khidmat (1954)
Institutes Named After Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry
- Rafi Chaudhry High Tension Laboratory, Government College University