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Divine P Kumah

Associate Professor of Physics
Physics
Box 90305, Durham, NC 27708
120 Science Dr., Physics Bldg. Room 077, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


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.  

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Physics · 2023 - Present Physics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published September 7, 2023
Divine Kumah Explores Atoms to Learn What Makes Them Tick

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Recent Publications


Spin-to-charge conversion at KTaO3(111) interfaces

Journal Article Applied Physics Letters · March 1, 2025 Rashba spin-orbit coupling locks the spin with the momentum of charge carriers at the broken inversion interfaces, which could generate a large spin galvanic response. Here, we demonstrate spin-to-charge conversion (inverse Rashba-Edelstein effect) in KTaO ... Full text Cite

A different facet to materials design: Complex oxides

Journal Article Nature Physics · January 1, 2025 Complex oxides have competing phases with different spin, electronic and orbital order. Now it has been shown that growing thin films on different facets of a low-symmetry substrate can be used to control the phase of the ground state. ... Full text Cite

The Role of Interfacial Interactions and Oxygen Vacancies in Tuning Magnetic Anisotropy in LaCrO3/LaMnO3 Heterostructures

Journal Article Advanced Materials Interfaces · September 3, 2024 The interplay of lattice, electronic, and spin degrees of freedom at epitaxial complex oxide interfaces provides a route to tune their magnetic ground states. Unraveling the competing contributions is critical for tuning their functional properties. The re ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Collaborative Research: DMREF: Accelerated Design, Discovery, and Deployment of Electronic Phase Transitions (ADEPT)

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2027

Collaborative: Novel Mechanical Functionality In Nano-Architectured Ferroelectrics Via Rational Design Of Free Energy Landscapes

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Texas at Arlington · 2024 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Michigan, Ann Arbor · 2009 Ph.D.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor · 2007 M.S.E.E.