Dr. Felix O. Saouma
PhD(SUNY)  |  B.Ed(KU)
Lecturer
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E-mail : fsaouma@kafu.ac.ke
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Dr. Felix O. Saouma is a Lecturer, Researcher, and Chair of the Department of Physical Sciences within the School of Science (SoSci) at Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU). He earned his PhD in Physics from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton in 2017, where his doctoral research focused on the “Nonlinear Optical Properties of Emerging Perovskite Solar Cell Materials.” He holds a Bachelor of Education in Science (Mathematics and Physics) from Kenyatta University (KU), awarded in 2008.

He is highly skilled in the nonlinear optical characterization of semiconductor materials, with expertise in the use of tenable laser systems and optical spectroscopic techniques. He has actively contributed to cutting-edge research in the field, particularly in the characterization of nonlinear optical properties of novel and emerging materials.

Dr. Saouma’s current research integrates experimental techniques with computational modelling, with a focus on the application of Density Functional Theory (DFT) to investigate the electronic structure, optical responses, and functional behavior of advanced materials. His work lies at the intersection of computational physics, materials science, and photonics, and aims to accelerate the development of next-generation materials for renewable energy and optoelectronic technologies.

Key Research Interests:

1. Computational Study of Electronic Structure : Applying DFT to predict and analyze the electronic, optical, and structural properties of novel materials.
2. Nonlinear Optical Materials : Investigating the nonlinear optical responses of perovskite solar cell materials, chalcogenides, and multiferroic compounds, especially in the mid-infrared (IR) frequency range.
3. Photovoltaic Materials : Design and optimization of high-performance materials for solar energy conversion, with emphasis on efficiency, stability, and sustainability.
4. Thermoelectric Materials : Exploration of materials capable of converting heat into electricity, contributing to efficient energy harvesting systems.
5. Materials Science : Broad interests in structure–property relationships, defect engineering, and the development of functional materials for energy and electronic applications.

Dr. Saouma’s research advances the understanding of material behavior at the atomic level, with implications for sustainable technologies, optical communication systems, and emerging energy solutions.

PUBLICATIONS

1. “Computational study of LiAlSi, LiAlGe and LiGaSi Half-Heusler alloys for opto-electronic applications”, Madallah Yusuf, George S. Manyali, Felix O. Saouma, Physica B: Condensed Matter 693 416390 (2024).
2. “First principles study of thermos-physical and opto-electronic properties of NaCuTe, NaCuSe and NaScSn as potential photovoltaics”, Madallah Yusuf, Felix O. Saouma, George S. Manyali, Job W. Wafula, Anthony Pembere, Physica B: Condensed Matter 684 415954 (2024).
3. “DFT investigation of structural, elastic, electronic, thermodynamic and optical properties of KCuZ (Z= Te, Se) solar absorbers”, Madallah Yusuf, Felix O. Saouma, George S. Manyali, Job W. Wafula, Odanga Huxley, Solid State Communications. 370, 115219 (2023).
4. ‘’Low Born effective charges, high covalency and strong optical activity in X_3^(2+) Bi^(3-) N^(3-) (X=Ca,Sr,Ba) inverse-perovskites”, Jasmine Wakini, Carolyne Songa, Stephen Chege, Felix O. Saouma, Elica Wabululu, P.W.O Nyawere, Victor Odari, James Sifuna, George S. Manyali, https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.00359 [cond-mat.mtrl-sci].
5. ‘’Synthesis, structure, linear and nonlinear optical properties of noncentrosymmetric quaternary diamond-like semiconductors, Cu2ZnGeSe4 (CZGSe) and the novel Cu4ZnGe2Se7’’, Charles W. Sinagra III, Felix O. Saouma, Calford O. Otieno, Saul H. Lapidus, Jian-Han Zhang, Andrew J. Craig, Pedro Grima-Gallardo, Jacilynn A. Brant, Kimberly A. Rosmus, Kate E. Rosello, Joon I. Jang, Jennifer A. Aitken, Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 888, 161499 (2021).
6. “Crystal structure and second harmonic generation in Bi2TeO5: An X-N study from synchrotron and neutron diffraction data”, C. A. Lopez, E. Baati, M. T. Fernandez-Diaz, F. O. Saouma, J. I. Jang, J. A. Alonso, , J. Solid State Chem. 276, 122 (2019).
7. “Phase transitions of formamidinium lead iodide perovskite under pressure”, S. Jiang, Y. Luan, J. I. Jang, T. Baikie, X. Huang, R. Li, F. O. Saouma, Z. Wang, T. J. White, and J. Fang, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 140, 13952 (2018).
8. “Structural and spectroscopic properties of the polar antiferromagnet Ni2MnTeO6”, M. Retuerto, S. Skiadopouou, F. Borodavka, C. Kadlec, F. Kadlec, J. Prokleska, Z. Deng, J. A. Alonso, M. T. Fernandez-Diaz, F. O. Saouma, J. I. Jang, D. Legut, S. Kamba, and M. Greenblatt, Phys. Rev. B. 97, 144418 (2018).
9. “Selective enhancement of optical nonlinearity in two-dimensional organic-inorganic lead iodide perovskites”, F. O. Saouma, C. C. Stoumpos, J. Wong, M. G. Kanatzidis, and J. I. Jang, Nat. Com. 8, 742 (2017).
10. “Multiphoton absorption order of CsPbBr3 as determined by wavelength-dependent nonlinear optical spectroscopy”, F. O. Saouma, C. C. Stoumpos, M. G. Kanatzidis, Y. S. Kim, and J. I. Jang, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 8, 4912 (2017).