Leonard M. Kahn

Leonard M. Kahn is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics at the University of Rhode Island, also serving as Graduate Program Director. He holds a Ph.D. from Brown University (1976) and has held research positions at Battelle Labs and the University of Virginia. His research focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics, particularly surface physics, superconductivity, hydrogen in metals, and nonlinear optics. He has advised multiple Ph.D. students including Amer Hodzic (Bessel waves), Kelan Huang (nonlinear optics), and current student Nicholas Bianchi (Tamm states in superlattices).

Key research contributions include studies on alkali chemisorption on metal surfaces using density functional theory, electron-phonon coupling in superconductors like Nb3Sn, and optical properties of 1D conductors like TTF-TCNQ. His recent work explores nonlinear optics in layered structures, photonic crystals, and topological photonic states. Over 40 years of research has produced over 30 peer-reviewed articles spanning topics from hydrogen solubility in metals to soliton dynamics in superlattices.

Prof. Kahn has supervised 12 senior research projects, with two dedicated to nonlinear optical modeling. His work bridges theoretical physics with applied photonics, emphasizing cross-disciplinary approaches to material science challenges.