COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

First-Principles
Electronic Structure
of Novel Semiconductors

My research uses density functional theory to predict the electronic properties of dilute bismide III–V alloys and strained transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers, targeting mid-infrared, valleytronic, and topological applications.

3
Publications
PRM · Nat. Nanotech. · 1 under review
4
In Progress
Under review / in preparation
3
Software Tools
Open-source Python/Jupyter
HSE06
Hybrid DFT
First-principles methodology

About

I earned my PhD in Physics from the University of Delaware (2026), advised by Prof. Anderson Janotti.

My research uses first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to predict the electronic properties of novel semiconductor alloys and heterostructures for mid-infrared and valleytronic applications. I also build open-source Python tools for interactive DFT workflows in Jupyter.

I am currently seeking postdoctoral opportunities in computational materials science: scalable simulation, high-throughput workflows, and reproducible research pipelines.

Density Functional Theory III–V Semiconductor Alloys Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides Floquet Engineering Scientific Python

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles and software publications from my research on III–V semiconductor alloys, epitaxial strain engineering, and scientific computing tools.

2026 · Physical Review Materials

Band-gap reduction and band alignments in dilute bismide III–V alloys

Abdul Saboor, S. Khalid, A. Janotti

DFT HSE06 III–V Alloys Bismide

HSE06 hybrid functional calculations showing that Bi incorporation shifts both band edges in III–V semiconductors, contradicting the VBAC model, and predicting topological insulator phases in InAs/InSb at ~10% Bi.

2026 · arXiv preprint · under review

Effects of uniaxial strain on monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides revisited

I. Evangelista*, A. Saboor*, M. Zubair, I. Chatratin, R. Hu, D. Q. Ho, S. Khalid, I. Fampiou, A. Janotti (* co-first authors)

TMDs Uniaxial Strain Valleytronics SOC

Comprehensive first-principles study revisiting uniaxial and biaxial strain effects across monolayer TMDs with hybrid functionals and full spin-orbit coupling on properly distorted Brillouin zones.

2023 · Nature Nanotechnology

Engineering metal oxidation using epitaxial strain

S. Nair, Y. Yuan, A. Saboor, D. G. Schlom, D. A. Muller

Epitaxial Strain Thin Films PBE+U Iridium

Epitaxial strain controls whether Ir/Ru thin films remain metallic or oxidize to IrO₂. DFT calculations of the strain-dependent formation enthalpy reproduce the observed phase boundary.

2025 · Zenodo

ipyslides: Interactive presentations built inside Jupyter

Abdul Saboor

Python Jupyter Presentations

Presentation framework living entirely in Jupyter. Slides authored with Markdown and Python; every figure, widget, and equation is interactive and updatable in real time.

2025 · Zenodo

ipyvasp: DFT pre- and post-processing for VASP in Jupyter

Abdul Saboor

DFT VASP Band Structure

Interactive DFT pre- and post-processing in Jupyter Lab: crystal structures, 3D Brillouin zone visualization, band structure, PDOS, and charge density analysis.

Research in Progress

Active projects spanning dilute bismide alloys, strained 2D materials, and rare-earth nanoparticle-embedded THz devices.

Ready for submission

Dilute Bismide Quaternary Alloys

A. Saboor et al.

HSE06 InGaAsBi InP-matched
Extension of the binary bismide study to quaternary systems, InGaAs₁₋ₓBiₓ and InAlAs₁₋ₓBiₓ, lattice-matched to InP substrates for telecom and mid-IR applications. Explores how group-III composition independently tunes band gap, spin-orbit splitting, and lattice constant alongside the Bi fraction. Presented at the 67th Electronic Materials Conference (Duke University, 2025).
Under review · arXiv:2603.14138

Uniaxial Strain in Monolayer TMDs

I. Evangelista*, A. Saboor* et al. (* co-first authors)

TMDs Strain SOC
Systematic first-principles study of how uniaxial strain, which breaks in-plane rotational symmetry, modifies the valley-resolved electronic structure of monolayer TMDs (MoS₂, MoSe₂, WS₂, WSe₂, MoTe₂, WTe₂). Revisits earlier results with HSEα hybrid functionals and full spin-orbit coupling on properly distorted Brillouin zones.
In preparation

Valley Drift in Strained Monolayer WSe₂

A. Saboor et al.

WSe₂ Valleytronics Band Gap
Uniaxial strain shifts the K and K′ valleys of WSe₂ by unequal amounts, producing a strain-tunable valley energy splitting and a quasi-indirect band gap. The large spin-orbit splitting (~460 meV) and near-degeneracy at the conduction band edge make WSe₂ especially sensitive to symmetry-breaking perturbations.
In preparation

Rare-Earth Monopnictides for THz Devices

R. Hu, W. Acuna, A. Saboor et al.

THz ErAs/LuBi Nanoparticles
First-principles study of ErAs/LuBi nanoparticle–bismide III–V interfaces. Semimetallic rare-earth nanoparticles act as ultrafast carrier trapping centers for efficient THz photoconductors, while the bismide host provides band-gap tuning and enhanced spin-orbit effects.

Open-Source Software

Python tools for interactive scientific computing in Jupyter, with a focus on computational materials science workflows.

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ipyvasp

DFT pre- & post-processing

Interactive VASP workflow for Jupyter Lab: 3D Brillouin zone visualization with k-path selection by clicking, crystal structure manipulation, band structure and charge density analysis.

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ipyslides

Interactive presentations · ★ 18

Presentation framework where every figure and widget stays live. Supports Markdown, LaTeX, Plotly/Matplotlib, frame animations, speaker notes, and HTML/PDF export.

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dashlab

Rapid dashboard prototyping

Enhanced dashboarding on top of ipywidgets. Decorator-based callbacks, Plotly integration with selection/click traits, full-screen mode, and a non-blocking timer widget.

Education & Experience

Education

Ph.D. in Physics
University of Delaware · 2026

Dissertation: Electronic structure of dilute bismide III–V alloys and strained TMD monolayers using hybrid DFT. Advisor: A. Janotti.

M.S. in Physics
University of Delaware · 2025
M.Phil. in Physics
Quaid-i-Azam University · 2017
M.Sc. in Physics
Quaid-i-Azam University · 2015
B.Sc. in Mathematics & Physics
University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir · 2012

Experience & Skills

Teaching Assistant
University of Delaware · 2018 – present

Physics for Engineers I & II (PHYS207/208), Optics & Modern Physics (PHYS345), and Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Led recitations, supervised labs, graded problem sets.

Technical Skills

VASP
Python
Quantum ESPRESSO
MATLAB
ASE / Kwant
Mathematica
JS · HTML · CSS

Methodology & Tools

The computational framework underlying my research, from the quantum mechanical foundations to the practical workflow.

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Hybrid DFT

HSE06 screened hybrid functional for accurate band gaps and spin-orbit coupling. PAW potentials with semicore states. 64-atom supercells for alloy modeling.

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VASP & HPC

Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package on NERSC and DARWIN (University of Delaware) computing clusters. Workflow automation with Python and ipyvasp.

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Band Offsets

Superlattice alignment along nonpolar (110) direction, averaged over inequivalent configurations. Enables heterostructure design for quantum well devices.

Research Summary

Project Method Key Result Status
Bismide III–V Alloys HSE06 + SOC Both band edges shift; topological phases at ~10% Bi Published (2026)
Epitaxial Strain PBE+U Strain selects metallic vs oxide phase Published (2023)
Quaternary Bismides HSE06 + SOC InP-matched band engineering Ready for submission
Uniaxial TMDs HSEα + SOC Valley drift on distorted BZ Under review (2026)
WSe₂ Valley Drift HSEα + SOC Differential K/K′ shift; quasi-indirect gap In preparation
RE-V THz Devices DFT + interface ErAs/LuBi nanoparticle band alignment In preparation

Talks & Conferences

Conference presentations, workshops, and scientific community events.

2025

67th Electronic Materials Conference

Duke University, NC

Presented: “Electronic properties of InAlAs and InGaAs alloys containing a few percent of Bi”

2025

The Franklin Institute Awards Symposium

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

2025

PyCon US

Pittsburgh, PA

2024

APS March Meeting

Minneapolis, MN

Presented by advisor: “Electronic properties of InAlAs and InGaAs alloys containing a few percent of Bi”

2023

APS March Meeting

Las Vegas, NV

Presented: “Electronic structure and band alignment of dilute III–V₁₋ₓBiₓ alloys” (university-funded)

2019

SCAN Workshop

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA