Diamonds are extraordinary materials – they possess exceptional thermal conductivity, wide bandgap, mechanical hardness, and chemical stability, which make them highly promising for next-generation semiconductor and electronics applications.

Prudhvi Raju, our next pathbreaker, works as Research Scientist at the India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamonds (InCent-LGD) at IIT Madras, a center with a vision to advance research, development and innovation in lab-grown diamond based technologies.

Prudhvi talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about developing a strong interest in semiconductors and nanotechnology through his project on Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors, which introduced him to the physics of materials at the nanoscale.

For students, never be discouraged by early setbacks. Sometimes failures redirect you towards opportunities you never imagined.

Prudhvi, what were your initial years like?

I grew up in Andhra Pradesh, where my parents always encouraged me to pursue education seriously, even though we didn’t have a technical background in the family. During my school days, I was curious about how things work at a microscopic level – though I didn’t know that curiosity would one day lead me toward nanotechnology. Initially, I aimed to study engineering, but I couldn’t secure an engineering seat due to poor performance in the EAMCET entrance examination. That setback deeply affected me, and I remember sitting at a net cafe in search of alternative career options. That moment turned out to be life-changing. I came across an advertisement for a newly launched Integrated Master of Science in Nanotechnology program at Acharya Nagarjuna University – the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. That’s how I was introduced to nanotechnology for the first time, and it instantly captured my interest as a futuristic and innovative field.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I completed a 5-year Integrated Master of Science (MSc) in Nanotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University (2008–2013). Later, I pursued MPhil in Nanoscience at the Central University of Gujarat. Eventually, I earned my PhD in Physics from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, where I focused on semiconductor materials.

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Semiconductors?

My journey into semiconductors began unexpectedly when I discovered nanotechnology after not pursuing a traditional engineering path. During my Master’s project on Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors, I became deeply fascinated by how materials behave at the nanoscale – a curiosity that evolved into a strong passion for semiconductor research.

Working on the synthesis and characterization of semiconductor nanoparticles gave me my first hands-on experience with experimental research and analytical techniques. This exposure built a solid foundation in materials science and sparked my long-term interest in semiconductor fabrication and device development.

Interactions with professors and researchers at institutions like the University of Hyderabad and IITs further strengthened this interest. Seeing advanced labs and innovative research environments inspired me to pursue semiconductors more seriously.

Despite limited infrastructure during my early research at the Central University of Gujarat, I remained persistent and continued to seek better opportunities. Securing admission for a PhD at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad after multiple attempts became a defining milestone – one that reinforced my perseverance and commitment to contributing meaningfully to semiconductor research and technology.

How did you plan the steps to get into a career in Semiconductors?

My career path was not straightforward but evolved through persistence and exploration. I focused on building a strong foundation in research and developing practical knowledge of semiconductor materials and device processing.

After completing my Integrated Master of Science, I attempted both GATE and NET examinations. Unfortunately, I couldn’t clear them initially. However, I successfully cleared the CUCET entrance, which made me eligible to join for a M.Phil+PhD in Central Universities without needing GATE or NET.

Once I cleared the exam, I enrolled in an Integrated M.Phil. + PhD program at a Central University. At that time, most Central Universities were offering this combined program rather than a direct PhD. However, being relatively new institutions, they faced limited research infrastructure and experimental facilities, especially in advanced areas like semiconductor materials and device fabrication.

During my MSc., I had already developed a strong interest in semiconductors and nanotechnology through my project on Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors, which introduced me to the physics of materials at the nanoscale. That experience motivated me to explore semiconductor fabrication and device research more deeply.

While pursuing the M.Phil., I realized that to work meaningfully in semiconductor research, I needed access to more advanced laboratories and fabrication tools. This motivated me to apply again to premier institutions like IITs.

IIT (ISM) Dhanbad conducts its own PhD entrance examination and interview process, independent of GATE or NET. I applied, cleared the institute’s selection process, and secured admission for a PhD in Physics with a focus on semiconductor materials and thin film technologies.

At IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, I worked on gaining both theoretical and experimental insights into semiconductor materials, specifically focusing on fabrication challenges and their potential applications in solar cells. My research involved thin film deposition, structural and electrical characterization, and optimization of semiconductor properties to enhance device efficiency.

Overall, pursuing an M.Phil. before the PhD gave me a strong foundation in experimental research and shaped my long-term commitment to semiconductor materials and device fabrication – a field that’s now central to India’s semiconductor mission and technological self-reliance.

How did you get your first break?

My first professional break came when I joined Global Marketing Services as an Application Engineer after completing my PhD. This opportunity allowed me to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial semiconductor processes.

Global Marketing Services is a semiconductor equipment supplier providing advanced tools and systems for fabrication and packaging applications. Our customers include leading R&D institutions such as DRDO laboratories, IITs, IISc, CSIR labs, and other premier research centers actively engaged in semiconductor and electronics research.

During my PhD, I gained extensive theoretical and experimental knowledge in semiconductor materials, thin-film fabrication, and packaging technologies. This foundation helped me transition smoothly from research to the industrial application of semiconductor technologies.

At Global Marketing Services, I worked as a technical expert, focusing on the scientific principles and process capabilities of advanced semiconductor equipment. I actively participated in tool installations, demonstrations, and technical support at top institutions such as IITs and DRDOs.

Collaborating closely with professors, scientists, and engineers deepened my understanding of real-world challenges in semiconductor fabrication and packaging. The hands-on experience I gained during equipment installations and training sessions further enhanced my practical expertise and strengthened the connection between research and industry.

Currently, I continue this journey as a Research Scientist at IIT Madras, where I focus on semiconductor fabrication and process development. This role enables me to apply both my PhD expertise and industrial experience to contribute to India’s rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem.

What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you address them?

Before my PhD, I worked on several prototype-level semiconductor fabrication projects in collaboration with institutes like IITs and research centers. These collaborative experiences helped me gain early exposure to cleanroom practices, thin-film deposition, and material characterization techniques, which built my confidence and strengthened my research foundation.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I faced a few major challenges -each of which shaped my growth:

Challenge 1: Repeated rejection from top institutes for PhD admission.

Solution: I stayed persistent, refined my research proposal each time, and kept improving my subject knowledge until I finally got admitted to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. This process strengthened my perseverance and clarity of research direction.

Challenge 2: Lack of facilities during early research work at the Central University of Gujarat.

Solution: To overcome the limitations, I reached out to professors and research groups from IITs and IISc for collaboration and guidance. These interactions not only helped me access better research infrastructure but also expanded my professional network.

Challenge 3: Transitioning from an academic to an industrial environment.

Solution: I focused on learning the technical aspects of semiconductor equipment, understanding process flows, and gaining hands-on troubleshooting experience during equipment installations and demonstrations. This helped me bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical industrial applications.

Overall, these experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning – qualities that have been crucial in both my research and professional journey.

Where do you work now? Tell us about your current Role

I currently work as a Research Scientist at the India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamonds (InCent-LGD), which is established as a collaborative initiative between IIT Madras and the start base company IITM-Research Park.

The vision behind this centre is to advance research, development, and innovation in lab-grown diamond technologies. Diamond is not just a gemstone – it’s a multifunctional material with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties. It has diverse applications across several domains such as semiconductors, electrochemistry, quantum technologies, material science, and even high-performance electronics.

At InCent-LGD, we focus on exploring these interdisciplinary applications of diamond materials, from synthesis and process development to device-level integration. My role primarily involves semiconductor fabrication, thin film processing, and materials characterization, where I apply my PhD expertise to contribute toward developing high-quality diamond materials for advanced technological use.

This initiative aims to position India as a global hub for lab-grown diamond research and innovation, bridging academic research with industrial applications.

What problems do you solve?

The India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamonds (InCent-LGD) at IIT Madras is not a commercial diamond manufacturing unit for jewellery, but a research and development laboratory focused on exploring the scientific and technological applications of synthetic diamonds.

Diamonds are extraordinary materials – they possess exceptional thermal conductivity, wide bandgap, mechanical hardness, and chemical stability, which make them highly promising for next-generation semiconductor and electronic applications. However, there are still significant research gaps that need to be addressed to fully harness their potential.

Our current focus is on developing and understanding lab-grown diamond materials for a wide range of interdisciplinary applications, including:

  • Quantum technologies (Quantum Qubits)
  • Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices
  • Electrochemical sensors and electrodes
  • High-power and high-frequency electronic and mechanical systems

This lab is fundamentally different from large-scale semiconductor fabs or foundries like Intel or Samsung, which focus on mass-producing silicon-based integrated circuits using highly standardized, large-volume fabrication processes.

In contrast, InCent – LGD operates at the R&D and prototype development level – our goal is to innovate, characterize, and validate new material systems like diamond, and to develop fabrication processes that could later support industrial-scale applications.

Within the semiconductor ecosystem, our work lies in the upstream segment – primarily in materials research, process development, and prototype device fabrication. We aim to establish a scientific foundation that bridges fundamental material science with future semiconductor technologies based on diamond and other wide-bandgap materials.

What are the skills you need and how did you acquire them?

Key skills include semiconductor process understanding, equipment handling, and failure analysis – all gained through academic research, field installations, and hands-on experience.

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day involves coordinating with research teams, monitoring fabrication tools, troubleshooting process issues, and assisting students in using semiconductor equipment efficiently.

What do you love about your work?

I enjoy working at the intersection of academia and industry – turning theoretical concepts into practical semiconductor solutions that support advanced research.

How does your work benefit society?

My work contributes to advancing India’s semiconductor and electronics ecosystem by supporting R&D and training students in fabrication and packaging technologies. This aligns with national initiatives like “Make in India” and “Semicon India,” helping build local expertise for the future semiconductor industry.

A specific memorable work?

One of my most memorable experiences was installing and commissioning a plasma cleaning system at IIT-Madras. It was a challenging task requiring precision and coordination, but seeing the system successfully operational – and later being used for advanced research – gave me immense satisfaction.

Your advice to students?

Never be discouraged by early setbacks. Sometimes failures redirect you toward opportunities you never imagined. Stay curious, stay persistent, and focus on learning both theory and practical skills. Networking with mentors and researchers can open unexpected doors.

Future Plans?

My future goal is to continue contributing to India’s semiconductor ecosystem by enhancing fabrication capabilities, developing indigenous processes, and mentoring the next generation of engineers and researchers in semiconductor technologies.