A science professional with proven experience in Photonics, Imaging, Luminescent Materials, and Applied Physics. Specialized in multi-spectroscopy and microscopy, and radiation dosimetry. Expert in handling large datasets and performing complex statistical analyses.
Research and Teaching Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher [Nov 2020 - Present]
Luminescence Dating Laboratory, RLAHA, School of Archaeology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (UK)
> Infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) imaging at sub-single grain level on natural aluminosilicate.
(feldspars) grains for application in retrospective dosimetry.
> Material characterization using synchrotron sources.
> Measurement of natural radioisotopes using Gamma Spectroscopy, Alpha counter, and Timepix3 detector.
Teaching Fellow [Nov 2020 - Present]
University of Oxford, United Kingdom (UK)
> Advanced luminescence dating technique to Master students at the University of Oxford.
Doctoral Researcher and Research Assistant [Dec 2016 - Mar 2020]
Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark
> Understanding luminescence processes in feldspar and quartz (natural phosphor) using novel site-selective spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.
> Spectroscopic investigations of various luminescent materials: Al2O3:C, Mg, YPO4: Ce, Cm, and Mn2+ doped oixdes.
Visiting Researcher [Mar - Apr 2019]
LumiLab, Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
> NIR laser-induced photoluminescence in a natural mineral (feldspar).
> Electron beam-induced luminescence (SEM-CL) imaging.
Teaching Assistant [Jan - Dec 2018]
Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark
> Engineering Physics to B.Sc. (Eng.) students.
Master's thesis [Dec 2015 - May 2016]
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India
> Fabrication of an organic-inorganic (PEDOT:PSS/Silicon) hybrid solar cell.
> Optical characterization of the thin film layer and performance testing of a complete device.
Summer Internship [May - Jul 2015]
Department of Physics, University College Cork, Ireland
> Characterization of passively mode-locked dual-section quantum dash laser subjected to optical feedback (Gain to Absorber).
Summer Internship [May - Jul 2014]
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
> Evolving TiO2 semiconductor disc to perform photocatalysis using ultraviolet light and visible light
Bachelor`s Thesis [Dec 2013 - Apr 2014]
International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India.
> Study of optical and structural properties of photonic crystals (chalcogenide glasses) using multi-spectroscopic techniques.
Summer Internship [Dec 2013 - Apr 2014]
Advanced Centre for Research in High Energy Materials, University of Hyderabad, India.
> Project: Determination of nonlinear optical properties such as absorption coefficient, refraction index, two-photon absorption coefficient of Copper Tetra Tolylporphyrins (CuTTP) using the Z-scan technique.
Skills & Activities
Technical Skills
Spectroscopy, Microscopy/Imaging, Material Characterization, Dosimetry & Dating, Radiation Detection and Imaging, Image Processing, Thin Film Deposition, Solar Cells Fabrication.
Instrumentation Skills
COLUR (CryOgenic LUminescence Research: Upgraded Horiba Fluorolog-3 Spectrofluorometer) facility, Edinburg Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (Spectrophotometer attached, SEM-CL), UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopic system (EDX), Ball Milling machine, Risø TL/OSL/IRPL reader, Lexsyg Luminescence reader, Micro x-ray Fluorescence instrument, Timepix3- ionizing radiation detection system, Thick Source Alpha Counter, Portable Gamma-ray Spectrometers.
Software Skills
Matlab, Originlab, LaTex, Risø Analyst, Python (beginners), PyXRF (X-ray luminescence data analysis software), ImageJ (Image processing software), OxGamma (Gamma dose rate analysis software).
Reviewer
Radiation Measurements, Nuclear Science and Techniques, Qeios, Quaternary Geochronology, Gchron.,
Geochronometria
Software Development (check here)
OxGamma (Matlab-based application for gamma spectrum analysis)
Scientific Memberships
-The international society for optics and photonics (SPIE, 2011-2016)
-Photonics 21
Education
PhD in Physics
Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark. [2016 - 2020]
Integrated MSc, Optics and Photonics (CGPA- 9.46/10)
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala, India. [2011 - 2016]
Higher Secondary School (+2)
Gaya College Gaya, Bihar, India
Secondary School (10th)
S S High School, Sullebatta, Bihar, India
Presentations
Raju Kumar, Infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) emission in K-feldspar for dating by imaging. Martin Aitken Seminar (2024), University of Oxford, UK (Invited Talk)
Raju Kumar, Infrared Photoluminescence in Feldspar: Pioneering Insights and Dating Potential. 5th workshop on Luminescence Dating and its Applications. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. (Invited Speaker)
Raju Kumar, Daniel Wood, Richard Plackett, Marine Frouin, Jean-Luc Schwenninger: Investigating the potential of time-pixelated Si-detector in radiation dosimetry relevant to luminescence dating. 17th International Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (LED 2023), Denmark.
Raju Kumar, Marine Frouin, Jean-Luc Schwenninger, Thieme Juergen: A synchrotron study of the defects associated with the principal trap in feldspar: initial findings. Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (UK-LED 2022), United Kingdom. (Talk)
Raju Kumar, Marine Frouin, Jean-Luc Schwenninger, Thieme Juergen: IR-OSL/PL/RF emissions in feldspar. IR-RF workshop 2022, Giessen University, Germany. (Invited Speaker)
Raju Kumar, Marine Frouin, Thieme Juergen, Jean-Luc Schwenninger: Mapping oxidation states of Fe and Pb in naturally occurring aluminosilicates (feldspars) for application in luminescence dating. Conference for NSLS-II & CFN Joint Users 2022, online. (poster)
Raju Kumar, Infrared Photoluminescence (IRPL): A new luminescence dating technique. Climate and Chronology seminar series 2021. University of Oxford. (Invited Speaker)
Raju Kumar, Marine Frouin, James Gazack, Jean-Luc Schwenninger: OxGamma: a MATLAB-based application for the calibration of portable gamma-ray spectrometers and the analysis of field spectra for environmental dose-rate measurements, online Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (LED) meeting, 2021. (poster)
Raju Kumar, Gallo Antoine, Andrew Murray, Eren Sahiner, Ellaine Sellwood, Myungho Kook, Mayank Jain: Understanding the dynamics of electron de-trapping using ΔIRPL. Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (UK-LED 2019), Denmark. (Talk)
Raju Kumar, Myungho Kook, Mayank Jain: Sediment dating using infra-red photoluminescence. Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (UK-LED 2019), Denmark. (poster)
Raju Kumar, Myungho Kook, Mayank Jain: Characterization of electron traps in a natural aluminosilicate (feldspar) by low-temperature photoluminescence excitation-emission spectroscopy. 19th international conference on solid-state dosimetry (SSD) 2019, Japan. (Talk)
Raju Kumar, Myungho Kook, Mayank Jain: Insights into the stability of trapped electrons in feldspar from infrared photoluminescence (IRPL). Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (UK-LED 2018), United Kingdom. (Talk)
Raju Kumar, Myungho Kook, Andrew Sean Murray, Mayank Jain: New insights into the electron trapping centers in feldspar. 15th International Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (LED 2017), Cape Town, South Africa. (Talk) .
Awards and Recognitions
Grant: SBU/BNL Seed grant (named for RA) for carrying out research at National Synchrotron Facility, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Stony Brook University (SBU), USA. (PIs: Dr. Marine Frouin and Dr. Thieme Juergen)
Fellowship: Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Award: Scientific Excellence Award for the best science at the UK-LED conference, Denmark.
Award: The Peter Townsend Award for the most innovative idea in instrumentation/methodology at LED2017 conference, Cape town.
Scholarship: PhD Scholarship at Denmark Technical University, Denmark for PhD studies.
Scholarship: Travel Grant for attending PhD open day 2016 at ICFO, Spain.
Scholarship: Research Fellowship for carrying out the Master Project at IIT Bombay.
Scholarship: ASPIRE fellowship for carrying out thesis/project at IIT Bombay.
Scholarship: Bihar Scholarship for the academic session 2015-2016, by the state government).
Scholarship: Research Fellowship for carrying out a summer internship in UCC, Ireland.
Scholarship: Summer Research Fellowship for carrying out a summer internship at IIT Madras.
Scholarship: Summer Research Scholarship, University of Queensland, Australia.
Scholarship: ASPIRE fellowship for carrying out summer internship at the University of Hyderabad.
Award: Nalanda Endowment Award (for securing the first rank in the first semester of Int. MSc).