Atomic physicist • Quantum educator

Prof. Pranawachandra Deshmukh

Renowned for advancing relativistic many-body physics, attosecond time-delay studies, and transformative quantum pedagogy. Founder of CAMOST and RV Chair Professor at CQST, he inspires the quantum community across India and beyond.

Atomic Collisions Light-Matter Interactions Lambert W Applications Quantum Education
40+

Years shaping atomic and quantum science

18

Doctoral mentees leading global research

3

Definitive textbooks guiding physics curricula

Portrait of Prof. Pranawachandra Deshmukh
Founder, CAMOST · RV Chair Professor, CQST

Biography

Architect of quantum insights and champion of physics education.

Prof. Pranawachandra Deshmukh has pioneered theoretical approaches to atomic collisions, light-matter interactions, ultrafast atomic processes, and the application of the Lambert W function. His lectures, freely available via NPTEL and Swayamprabha, empower physics learners throughout India and beyond.

Research & Scholarship

Leads breakthrough work in relativistic many-body studies of atomic photoionization, free and confined atoms, attosecond time-delay phenomena, and analytical approaches using the Lambert W function.

Author of Foundations of Classical Mechanics, Quantum Collisions and Confinement, and Quantum Mechanics – Formalism, Methodologies, and Applications, guiding learners from fundamentals to frontier research.

Early Life & Education

A journey that began in Amravati and flourished in Nagpur.

1950

Born in Amravati, Bharat, on 12 September.

1970

Graduated B.Sc. (Physics) from the Postgraduate Department of Physics, Nagpur University.

1972

Completed M.Sc. (Physics) at Nagpur University, shaped by mentors across Saraswathi Vidyalaya, Hadas High School, Institute of Science, and the PG Department of Physics.

1979

Earned Ph.D. in physics at Nagpur University under Dr. C. Mande and Dr. P. L. Khare.

Leadership & Mentorship

Steering institutions and guiding the next generation.

Founder-Convenor & Mentor

Leads the Center for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences and Technologies (CAMOST), a joint initiative of IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati.

RV Chair Professor

Guides quantum science research and education at CQST, School of Computer Science and Engineering, RV University.

Chief Technology Advisor

Supports the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi, with strategic academic and technological insight.

Mentorship Legacy

Prof. Deshmukh’s doctoral scholars carry forward his curiosity for atomic photoionization, quantum collisions, and advanced analytical techniques. Their collective success reflects a culture of rigorous inquiry and generous mentorship.

  • Dr. N. Shanthi
  • Dr. R. Padma
  • Dr. E. W. B. Dias
  • Dr. Tanima Banerjee
  • Dr. Hari R Varma
  • Dr. S. Sunil Kumar
  • Dr. Jobin Jose
  • Dr. Gagan Bihari Pradhan
  • Dr. Manas Ranjan Parida
  • Dr. N. M. Murthy
  • Dr. K. Sindhu
  • Dr. A. K. Yadav
  • Dr. Arthi Ganeshan
  • Dr. Ummal Momeen
  • Dr. Soumyajit Saha
  • Dr. Ankur Mondal
  • Dr. Sourav Banerjee

Academic Service

Building communities for atomic, molecular, and optical sciences.

Indian Society for Atomic and Molecular Physics

  • Convener, 11th NCAMP (1996)
  • Secretary (2001–2003)
  • Vice President (2003–2004)
  • President (2005–2006)

International Collaborations

  • Member, Advisory Committee, AISAMP (2004–2007, 2011–2016)
  • Convener, 7th AISAMP (2006)
  • Convener, AAMOS20 (2020)

Editorial & Professional Engagement

  • Board of Editors, Physica Scripta (Institute of Physics)
  • Member, Indian Association of Physics Teachers
  • Convener, 7th Topical Conference of ISAMP (2018)

Academic Trajectory

A timeline of discovery, collaboration, and innovation.

1978 – 1979

DANIDA Fellow, University of Aarhus, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, collaborating with Prof. Jan Linderberg.

1980 – 1983

Research Associate & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgia State University, working with Prof. S. T. Manson.

1984 – 2016

Faculty, Department of Physics, IIT Madras; served as Professor and Head of Department (2006–2009).

2002 – 2009

Senior Research Associate, International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste.

2009 – 2010

Dean (Academics) & Head, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi.

2011 – 2014

Visiting Professor & Western Fellow, The Western University of London, Ontario.

2015 – 2018

Visiting/Adjunct Professor, IISER Tirupati.

2016 – Present

Professor of Physics, IIT Tirupati; Dean (Sponsored Research & Consultancy) during 2016–2020.

2020 – Present

Mentor & Convenor, CAMOST, advancing atomic, molecular, and optical sciences.

Ongoing

Visiting Scientist engagements at Georgia State University and University of Aarhus; Advisory roles across quantum science networks.