Bio
Divine Kumah received his B.S in Physics from Southern University, Baton Rouge, and a Ph.D in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan in 2009. His postdoctoral research work was performed at the Center for Research in Interface and Surface Phenomena at Yale University. His research interests are in experimental condensed matter physics and are aimed at understanding the novel electronic and magnetic properties which emerge at the interfaces between crystalline materials.
The Kumah Research Lab uses state of the art atomic layer-by-layer deposition techniques including molecular beam epitaxy to fabricate thin crystalline oxide films. The group is focused on understanding how atomic-scale structural distortions at interfaces can be manipulated to induce novel electronic and magnetic phenomena and the development of pathways for harnessing these unique functionalities for electronic and energy applications. Tools used by the group include atomic force microscopy, electron diffraction and synchrotron-based x-ray spectroscopy and diffraction.
Education
- M.S.E.E. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2007
- Ph.D. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2009
Positions
- Associate Professor of Physics
Awards, Honors, and Distinctions
- The 2022 Oxide Electronics Prize for Excellence in Research. International Workshop on Oxide Electronics . 2022
- National Science Foundation CAREER Awards - Multiple Sciences. National Science Foundation (NSF). 2018
Courses Taught
- PHYSICS 152L: Introductory Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
- PHYSICS 152L9D: Introductory Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics (Discussion Component)
- PHYSICS 152L9: Introductory Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics (Lab Component)
- PHYSICS 151L9D: Introductory Mechanics (Discussion Component)
In the News
Representative Publications
- Al-Tawhid, A. H., R. Sun, A. H. Comstock, D. P. Kumah, D. Sun, and K. Ahadi. “Spin-to-charge conversion at KTaO3(111) interfaces.” Applied Physics Letters 126, no. 9 (March 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0247001.
- Shields, J. M., and D. P. Kumah. “A different facet to materials design: Complex oxides.” Nature Physics 21, no. 1 (January 1, 2025): 13–14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-024-02709-4.
- Zhang, X., A. H. Al-Tawhid, P. Schafer, Z. Zhang, and D. P. Kumah. “The Role of Interfacial Interactions and Oxygen Vacancies in Tuning Magnetic Anisotropy in LaCrO3/LaMnO3 Heterostructures.” Advanced Materials Interfaces 11, no. 25 (September 3, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400243.
- Schöpf, J., V. Piva, P. H. M. Van Loosdrecht, I. Lindfors-Vrejoiu, P. Shafer, D. P. Kumah, X. Zhang, L. Yao, and S. Van Dijken. “Tuning the interlayer coupling in La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.95Ru0.05 O3/LaNiO3 multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.” Physical Review Materials 8, no. 9 (September 1, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.8.094410.
- Baksi, Merve, and Divine P. Kumah. “The structure of Ferroelectric BaBiO$_3$/BaTiO$_3$ Interfaces grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy,” May 28, 2024.