
Professor Nigel Spooner
Grant Funded Researcher (E)
School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Professor Nigel Spooner was awarded a DPhil (Physics, Oxon) in 1993, following which he relocated to establish and head the “Luminescence Dating Laboratory” (LDL) at RSES, Australian National University, Australia. Research focussed on environmental dosimetry utilising luminescence induced in artificial and naturally-occurring environmental materials by ionising radiation from natural and man-made sources in the environment. Work included elucidation of the physics and phenomenology of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) from these materials for dosimetry, the development of Luminescence Dating (TL & Optical Dating) protocols, and the invention of apparatus for environmental dosimetry research and application. Devices included the world’s first commercially-manufactured Optical Dating system, including luminescence readers, automated alpha particle and beta particle irradiators and specialised calibration facilities, in collaboration with Littlemore Scientific Engineering (Elsec), Oxfordshire, UK. Applications included the use of TL and Optical Dating for “retrospective dosimetry” (Dose Reconstruction) in the modern era. A key focus of the LDL was reaching into past times using radiometric dating: Optical Dating in particular had “broken through” to gain recognition as a major new chronological technique. This enabled the team to address major questions in geomorphology, soil science, palaeohydrology, archaeology and palaeontology, leading to numerous publications including cover articles in the journals Nature and Science.
Nigel transferred to DST Group in 2002, from where he initiated the joint DST Group-University of Adelaide Luminescence program from 2004. This was later incorporated as a founding element of the successful Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), and was renamed the “The Prescott Environmental Luminescence Laboratory” (PELL). The PELL boasts a globally-unique suite of instruments for luminescence analysis, radiation exposure detection and radiometric dating. Activity areas include retrospective dosimetry, radiation detection technology development including a novel class of radiation-sensitive optical fibres and single-sand-grain Optical Dating apparatus, TL research, and environmental radioisotope and dose-rate measurement. The laboratory possesses world-leading technology, hosting the most sensitive TL spectrometer, and the world’s most sensitive radiogenic luminescence imaging technology for spatially-resolved OSL & TL imaging.
Research Activities
The focus of my research is measurement of radiation dose in natural and artificial materials within the environment. Fields of application include Retrospective Dosimetry (population dose reconstruction - measurement of the radiation dose accrued by people following a radiological event such as a nuclear accident), radionuclide concentration measurements, and environmental dosimetry using luminescence for geochronology - Thermoluminescence and Optical Dating. Key technological developments I have pioneered include the development of the world’s most sensitive radiogenic luminescence imaging technology, a novel class of radiation-sensitive optical fibres and single grain analysis technology.
The PELL is currently engaged in multiple collaborative and consultancy projects with Universities, private industry and Australian and international Government agencies. Research areas include retrospective dosimetry (Japan Atomic Energy Agency), mining and mineral processing research (SA EPA, BHPB, OZ Minerals), geochronology (palaeontology, archaeology and landscape evolution) and the creation of novel fluorescence analysis techniques.
Development and applications of Optical Dating: I have made significant and original contributions to fundamental research in radiogenic luminescence and the subsequent apparatus and protocol development that enabled its application to Geochronology. My work has provided physical underpinnings for both the Thermoluminescence (TL) Dating and Optical Dating techniques, the latter of which I was a pioneer both in development and in application. I was one of five physicists originally responsible for establishing Optical Dating as a viable technique. My research has applied optical dating to the fundamental questions of human arrival and colonisation of Australia, and to climate change and megafaunal extinction studies.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2018 - ongoing Professor, Physics University of Adelaide 2009 - ongoing Adjunct Professor, Luminescence University of Adelaide 2002 - ongoing Senior Research Scientist Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) 1993 - 2002 Head, Luminescence Laboratory Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), Australian National University (ANU) -
Language Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2009 University of Melbourne Australia Graduate Certificate in Scientific Leadership (1st class) 1993 University of Oxford United Kingdom DPhil 1987 University of Adelaide Australia MSc 1980 University of Adelaide Australia BSc Hons
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Journals
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Conference Papers
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Conference Items
Year Citation 2021 Tran, Q. D., Spooner, N., Geoghegan, S., Stoudemire, J., Tran, N. N., Fisk, I., & Hessel, V. (2021). Cosmic-ray Irradiation Study of a Space Medicine for Future On-Orbit Manufacturing. Poster session presented at the meeting of Luxembourg Space Resources Week 2021. Luxembourg.
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Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2018 Spooner, N., & Ottaway, D. (2018). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub Fifth Sponsors Review Report. 2018 Spooner, N. A., & Ottaway, D. (2018). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub Sixth Sponsors Review Report. 2018 Spooner, N. A., & Ottaway, D. J. (2018). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub Status Update Report - Feb 2018. 2018 Spooner, N. A., & Ottaway, D. (2018). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub 2018 Hub Objectives. 2017 Spooner, N. A., & Ottaway, D. (2017). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub 2017 Hub Objectives. 2017 Spooner, N. A., & Ottaway, D. (2017). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub Third Six Monthly Report. 2017 Spooner, N., & Ottaway, D. (2017). ARC Australian Copper-Uranium Transformational Research Hub Fourth Sponsors Review Report.
Research Funding
Date | Project/ No. | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
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2016-2019 | Upconversion Fluorescence for Real-time Mineral Identification | N Spooner, D Ottaway | Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE) | $1,300,000 |
2015-2020 | ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation | D Losic, E Skafidas, M Majumder, C Fumeaux, N Choudhury, A Nirmalathas, M McLaughlin, J Ma, R Ghomashchi, YL Zhong, M Muzzin, G Anderson, I Neering, N Spooner, H Zhu, K Koziol, A Pollard, A Merkoçi, L Dai, J Liu, R Stewart, S Bohm | Australian Research Council (ARC), Industrial Transformation Research Hubs,IH150100003 | $2,611,346 |
2015-2017 | A 140,000 year insight into the imprint of climate and humans on Australia | J Tibby, P Moss, M Leng, J Shakun, N Spooner | Australian Research Council (ARC), Discovery Project, DP150103875 | $381,140 |
2015 | Single-Grain Sorter and Loader | NA Spooner, B Cazzolato, D Creighton, L Arnold, M Demuro, D Questiaux | University of Adelaide, Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), Pilot Project | $16,000 |
2014 | UV to mid-infrared fluorescence spectrometer for use in mineral analysis, radiation dosimetry, and laser materials characterisation | DG Lancaster, H Ebendorff-Heidepriem, MJ Withford, SR Grano, NA Spooner | Australian Research Council (ARC), Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LEIF), LE140100042 | $360,000 |
2013-2018 | The Australian Copper-Uranium Transformation Research Hub | S Grano, D Ottaway, Y Ngothai, P Ashman, H Ebendorff-Heidepriem, A Hooker, J Brugger, S Wilson, A Pring, P Hayes, Y Peng, J Vaughan, E Jak, K Ehrig, N Spooner, S Simons | Australian Research Council (ARC), Industrial Transformation Research Hub, IH130200033 | $2,526,617 |
2012 | Upgrade of “Risø” automated reader for single-grain optical dating & radiation dosimetry research | N Spooner | University of Adelaide, Research Equipment and Infrastructure Round | $20,300 |
2012 | Small optical and lab apparatus for single-grain optical dating and luminescence radiation dosimetry research | N Spooner | University of Adelaide, Research Equipment and Infrastructure Round | $18,250 |
2012 | Low-level K, U, Th and daughter radionuclide measurements for dose rate research | N Spooner | Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Award, No ALNGRA12125 | $15,350 |
2011-2014 | Transformational diagnostics | TM Monro, A Cooper, LA Salamonsen, RJ Norman, NA Spooner | Australian Research Council (ARC), Super Science Fellowships, FS110200009 | $835,200 |
2009 | Risø reader for luminescence imaging & dosimetry | N Spooner | University of Adelaide, Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), Equipment Round | $175,000 |
2008 | Establishment of Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) | Team led by TM Monro | Higher Education Endowment Fund, Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, University of Adelaide, SA State Government and DST Group | $97M |
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2023 Principal Supervisor Exploring laser-induced fluorescence of water and aqueous minerals for space applications Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Joshua Grant Rusby 2023 Principal Supervisor Plastic scintillator design and optimisation for UAV borne gamma radiation surveys Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aithan Roufos 2023 Co-Supervisor Quantification of radionuclide geo-sequestration in minerals surrounding nuclear waste storage facilities Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jason Alexander Charlwood 2022 Co-Supervisor Development and characterisation of novel Ytterbium and Samarium rare-earth doped silica fibre optic dosimeters for high dose rate brachytherapy Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Joshua Raphael Southwell 2022 Principal Supervisor Material Detection Using Novel Luminescence Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Michael Slattery 2021 Principal Supervisor Drone borne Gamma radiation detection for stand-off high resolution surveying of radionuclide concentrations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Timothy Doughney 2021 Co-Supervisor Development and Analysis of Gold Sensing Protein Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Akhil Kumar 2020 Principal Supervisor Zircon Auto-Regeneration Luminescence (ZARL) dating using single grain imaging. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Kathryn Leah McDonnell 2018 Principal Supervisor Analysis of Up-Conversion Fluorescence from Explosives, Molecules and Precursors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Thomas Jacob De Prinse 2018 Co-Supervisor Surface and Sub-Surface LiDAR Mapping of Naracoorte Caves Fossil Region Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Craig Robert Williams -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Real-time Fluorine Mineral Detection using Novel Fluorescence Technology Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Lewis Da Silva Teixeira 2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor New Fluorescence Sensors for Critical Materials Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Bede Payten 2018 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Advanced Radiation Sensing Techniques Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Jarrah Lionel Herbert Mik 2018 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Characterisation of NaCl Crystal for a Reusable Radiation Dosimeter Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Alexandra Chapsky 2015 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Novel Fluorescence Techniques for Real-Time Mineral Identification Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Jillian Elizabeth Moffatt 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Radiation Sensitive Optical Fibres for Radiation Detection and Dosimetry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Carly Anne Whittaker 2014 - 2019 Principal Supervisor A Systematic Study of Quartz Thermoluminescence for Forensic and Retrospective Dosimetry Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Peter Geoffrey Hunter 2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Testing the TT-OSL Single-Aliquot Protocol for Quartz Sediment Dating Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Jillian Elizabeth Moffatt 2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Radiation Effects in Glasses for Intrinsic Optical Fibre Radiation Dosimetry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Chris Kalnins
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2020 - 2024 Member Technical Capability Working Group Australian Radioactive Waste Agency Australia 2015 - 2018 Member SA Radiation Protection Committee SA Government Australia 2015 - ongoing Chair Fourth Asia-Pacific Luminescence and ESR Dating Conference (APLED) - Australia 2011 - ongoing Chair Session Chair, 13th International Conference on Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance Dating - Poland 2010 - ongoing Chair Session Chair, 16th International Conference on Solid State Dosimetry - Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles