Welcome To KFUPM Physics

Welcome to the Department of Physics at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. I invite you to explore our website where you can find information about our academic programs, courses, research activities, and faculty members. Physics has always been at the forefront of exploration. This is accomplished through cognitive enhancement by education transmitted through academic courses as well as carrying out research at the cutting-edge frontiers of human knowledge. The Physics department offer courses that are solidly based on the American system to meet international quality assurance requirements, which has placed the Department as a world-class regional center in a leading international institution. Our student body includes pure-physics students and double-major students, which reflects the interdisciplinary nature of our program. In addition, our research facilities span various fields of physics including condensed matter physics, lasers, materials research, magnetism and superconductivity, nuclear physics, and nonlinear and computational physics. Over the past five decades, our faculty members have conducted research using in-house facilities as well as collaborative research with national and international centers.

Mohammad Al-Kuhaili,
Professor & Chairman, Physics Department

Mission & Goals View Recent Events

Research and Academic activity statistics 2015 to 2021

3.1

Average Impact Factor Publications​

51

Patents

10042

Cumulative Citation Count​

452

Publications

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Seminar

Atomistic insights into irradiation damage dynamics in metals and alloys

Speaker:
Dr. Qing Peng
Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Date: Monday, February 16th, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Bldg. 6/Room 125

Abstract:
We integrate three atomic-scale simulation studies to elucidate material damage under intense irradiation. (1) Billion-atom molecular dynamics reveals a “punch-out” mechanism where supersonic shockwaves in cascades nucleate <100> interstitial dislocation loops within picoseconds, highlighting ultrafast defect generation via non‑equilibrium energy deposition. (2) Multiscale simulations in NiCoFeCrMn show that chemical short‑range order (SRO) evolution under irradiation is governed by a competition between ballistic destruction (depending only on atomic replacements) and element‑dependent diffusion‑driven recovery. The steady‑state SRO can deviate significantly from thermodynamic equilibrium, with important implications for long‑term performance. (3) In severely lattice‑distorted NbZrTi, first‑principles calculations show reduced vacancy/interstitial formation energies, broad vacancy‑migration spectra with near‑zero barriers, and 3D element‑selective interstitial diffusion. These properties enhance point‑defect recombination and suppress void swelling under high‑temperature irradiation. Together, these studies provide a multi‑scale picture of irradiation damage, from picosecond defect nucleation to long‑term microstructural evolution, guiding the design of radiation‑resistant materials.

Biography:
Dr. Qing Peng is a Professor (Level 3, senior full professor who serves as a discipline leader) in Wuhan University. He received his PhD from University of Connecticut in 2005, MS from State University of New York at Binghamton in 2000, and BS from Peking University in 1998. His research focuses on computational materials physics using multiscale, first-principles, molecular dynamics, and finite-element modeling and simulations. Dr. Peng has published over 300 peer-reviewed journal papers with over 8600 citations and an H-index of 45. Dr. Peng serves as Editorial board member of a few journals including “Scientific Reports”, “Crystals”, “Nanomaterials”. He is on the Worlds’ Top 2% Scientists list. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer of IC Research Technology (Wuhan) CO. LTD.

All faculty, researchers and students are invited to attend.

    Location and Time

  • 6/125

  • 16 Feb, 2026

  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM