Christopher Chantler

Professor Christopher Chantler is a Professor in the School of Physics, Faculty of Science, at the University of Melbourne. He obtained his BSc (Hons) in Chemical Physics from the University of Western Australia and his DPhil from the University of Oxford's Department of Physics in 1991. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a Research Associate in the Quantum Physics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, United States, from 1992 to 1994. He joined the University of Melbourne as a Full Professor in the School of Physics in 2000, where he continues to lead research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

Christopher Chantler's primary research interests lie in X-ray Optics and Synchrotron Science, including X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), characteristic X-ray spectra, atomic structure calculations, mass attenuation coefficients, electron inelastic mean free paths, relativistic multi-configuration quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics (QED) tests, and plasmon-coupling theory. His group develops theoretical and computational approaches alongside complex experiments at advanced laboratories and international synchrotron facilities, advancing knowledge in nano-physics, chemistry, mineralogy, biology, and condensed matter science. Notable publications include "Theoretical Form Factor, Attenuation, and Scattering Tabulation for Z=1–92 from E=1–10 eV to E=0.4–1.0 MeV" (Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 1995), a foundational reference with extensive citations; "Scandium K α and K β x-ray spectra with ab initio satellite intensities and energy eigenvalues" (2024); "Cu K α 3,4 satellite spectrum with ab initio Auger-rate calculations" (2023); and "High-accuracy measurement of mass attenuation coefficients and the imaginary component of the atomic form factor of zinc from 8.51 keV to 11.59 keV" (2021). With 213 publications and over 4,800 citations, his work has profoundly influenced high-accuracy X-ray spectroscopy and atomic physics. Chantler has earned the Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics (FAIP, 2007), Fellow of the American Physical Society (2016), Lawrence Bragg Medal (2021), University of Melbourne Service Recognition 25 Year Bronze Medal (2019), and International JARI Enterprise Award (2006). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Radiation Physics and Chemistry.

Professional Email: chantler@unimelb.edu.au