A science professional with proven experience in Photonics, 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, 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, Micro x-ray Fluorescence instrument, Timepix3- ionizing radiation detection system, Thick Source Alpha Counter, Portable Gamma-ray Spectrometer.
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, Quaternary Geochronology, Gchron.
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 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).