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Professor Aleksandar Rakic
Professor

Aleksandar Rakic

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53569

Overview

Background

Aleksandar D. Rakić leads the Photonics and Microwave Engineering group at The University of Queensland focusing on the development of technologies for sensing and imaging across the electromagnetic spectrum including microwave, terahertz wave and optical systems.

Professor Rakić’s research focuses on the principles of laser feedback interferometry with semiconductor lasers, and on the application of these principles to imaging and sensing. Rakić group pioneered the development of several world’s first laser-feedback interferometric sensors including systems based on monolithic Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser arrays (VCSELs), blue-green lasers, terahertz quantum cascade lasers and mid-infrared interband cascade lasers.

His current focus is on the development of sensing and imaging systems exploiting the THz spectrum for applications from security and defence to in vivo biomedical imaging. His other principal contributions relate to the design and characterization of surface-emitting optoelectronic devices (VCSELs and light emitting diodes) and modelling of optical materials.

Availability

Professor Aleksandar Rakic is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, University of Belgrade
  • Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, University of Belgrade
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Development of laser technologies for early detection of skin cancers

    Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. Despite advances in treatment regimes, the most significant predictor of survivability remains early detection. My group works on developing a disruptive technology based on the terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for the next generation of terahertz imaging systems suitable for early skin cancer detection.

  • Interaction of light and tissue: Integrated electromagnetic models for laser systems and skin

    My group is developing physical and numerical models (phantoms) of human skin, and integrating them with models of laser based optical systems for accurate description of system performance including physical phenomena of light-tissue interactions. Concurrent modeling of laser systems and skin provides unprecedented insight into the performance of terahertz and infrared biomedical imaging systems.

Works

Search Professor Aleksandar Rakic’s works on UQ eSpace

299 works between 1990 and 2025

21 - 40 of 299 works

2023

Journal Article

Coherent Terahertz laser feedback interferometry for hydration sensing in leaves

Kashyap, Mayuri, Torniainen, Jari, Bertling, Karl, Kundu, Urbi, Singh, Khushboo, Donose, Bogdan, Gillespie, Tim, Lim, Yah Leng, Indjin, Dragan, Li, Lian He, Linfield, Edmund, Davies, Giles, Dean, Paul, Smith, Millicent, Chapman, Scott, Bandyopadhyay, Aparajita, Sengupta, Amartya and Rakic, Aleksandar (2023). Coherent Terahertz laser feedback interferometry for hydration sensing in leaves. Optics Express, 31 (15), 23877-23888. doi: 10.1364/oe.490217

Coherent Terahertz laser feedback interferometry for hydration sensing in leaves

2023

Conference Publication

Self-Detection Near Field Optical Microscopy Based on Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

Silvestri, Carlo, Columbo, Lorenzo Luigi, Rakic, Aleksandar D. and Brambilla, Massimo (2023). Self-Detection Near Field Optical Microscopy Based on Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser. 31st Annual International Laser Physics Workshop, Online, 3-7 July 2023.

Self-Detection Near Field Optical Microscopy Based on Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

2023

Journal Article

Harmonic active mode locking in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Silvestri, Carlo, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2023). Harmonic active mode locking in terahertz quantum cascade lasers. Physical Review A, 108 (1) 013501, 1-14. doi: 10.1103/physreva.108.013501

Harmonic active mode locking in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

2023

Journal Article

Letter: A multi-objective and multi-constraint optimization model for cyber-physical power systems considering renewable energy and electric vehicles

Zhang, Yu, Fei, Minrui, Sun, Qing, Du, Dajun, Rakic, Aleksandar and Li, Kang (2023). Letter: A multi-objective and multi-constraint optimization model for cyber-physical power systems considering renewable energy and electric vehicles. IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, 10 (6), 1498-1500. doi: 10.1109/jas.2022.106037

Letter: A multi-objective and multi-constraint optimization model for cyber-physical power systems considering renewable energy and electric vehicles

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Near-field localization of the boson peak on tantalum films for superconducting quantum devices

Guo, Xiao, Degnan, Zachary, Steele, Julian A., Solano, Eduardo, Donose, Bogdan C., Bertling, Karl, Fedorov, Arkady, Rakić, Aleksandar D. and Jacobson, Peter (2023). Near-field localization of the boson peak on tantalum films for superconducting quantum devices. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 14 (20), 4892-4900. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00850

Near-field localization of the boson peak on tantalum films for superconducting quantum devices

2023

Other Outputs

Frequency combs induced by optical feedback and harmonic order tunability in quantum cascade lasers

Silvestri, Carlo, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas and Rakic, Aleksandar (2023). Frequency combs induced by optical feedback and harmonic order tunability in quantum cascade lasers.

Frequency combs induced by optical feedback and harmonic order tunability in quantum cascade lasers

2023

Journal Article

Terahertz nanospectroscopy of plasmon polaritons for the evaluation of doping in quantum devices

Guo, Xiao, He, Xin, Degnan, Zachary, Chiu, Chun-Ching, Donose, Bogdan C., Bertling, Karl, Fedorov, Arkady, Rakić, Aleksandar D. and Jacobson, Peter (2023). Terahertz nanospectroscopy of plasmon polaritons for the evaluation of doping in quantum devices. Nanophotonics, 12 (10), 1865-1875. doi: 10.1515/nanoph-2023-0064

Terahertz nanospectroscopy of plasmon polaritons for the evaluation of doping in quantum devices

2023

Conference Publication

Spatial tomography of light resolved in time, spectrum, and polarization

Ploschner, Martin, Morote, Marcos M., Dahl, Daniel S., Mounaix, Mickael, Light, Greta, Rakic, Aleksandar D. and Carpenter, Joel (2023). Spatial tomography of light resolved in time, spectrum, and polarization. Smart Photonic and Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits 2023;, San Francisco, CA USA, 28 January-3 February 2023. Washington, DC USA: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2658893

Spatial tomography of light resolved in time, spectrum, and polarization

2023

Journal Article

Comparison of physical and system factors impacting hydration sensing in leaves using terahertz time-domain and quantum cascade laser feedback interferometry imaging

Singh, Khushboo, Bandyopadhyay, Aparajita, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Gillespie, Tim, Indjin, Dragan, Li, Lianhe, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Dean, Paul, Rakić, Aleksandar D. and Sengupta, Amartya (2023). Comparison of physical and system factors impacting hydration sensing in leaves using terahertz time-domain and quantum cascade laser feedback interferometry imaging. Sensors, 23 (5) 2721, 2721. doi: 10.3390/s23052721

Comparison of physical and system factors impacting hydration sensing in leaves using terahertz time-domain and quantum cascade laser feedback interferometry imaging

2023

Journal Article

Terahertz imaging of human skin pathologies using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade lasers

Qi, Xiaoqiong, Bertling, Karl, Stark, Mitchell S., Taimre, Thomas, Kao, Yung-Ching, Lim, Yah Leng, Han, She, O'Brien, Blake, Collins, Angus, Walsh, Michael, Torniainen, Jari, Gillespie, Timothy, Donose, Bogdan C., Dean, Paul, Li, Lian He, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Indjin, Dragan, Soyer, H. Peter and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2023). Terahertz imaging of human skin pathologies using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade lasers. Biomedical Optics Express, 14 (4) 480615, 1393-1410. doi: 10.1364/boe.480615

Terahertz imaging of human skin pathologies using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade lasers

2023

Journal Article

Frequency combs in quantum cascade lasers: an overview of modeling and experiments

Silvestri, Carlo, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2023). Frequency combs in quantum cascade lasers: an overview of modeling and experiments. APL Photonics, 8 (2) 020902, 020902. doi: 10.1063/5.0134539

Frequency combs in quantum cascade lasers: an overview of modeling and experiments

Featured

2023

Book Chapter

Self-mixing in quantum cascade lasers: theory and applications

Dean, Paul, Keeley, Jay, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Rubino, Pierluigi, Indjin, Dragan and Rakic, Aleksandar (2023). Self-mixing in quantum cascade lasers: theory and applications. Mid-infrared and terahertz quantum cascade lasers. (pp. 477-508) edited by Dan Botez and Mikhail A. Belkin. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108552066

Self-mixing in quantum cascade lasers: theory and applications

2022

Journal Article

Ultrafast buildup dynamics of terahertz pulse generation in mode-locked quantum cascade lasers

Wang, Feihu, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Pistore, Valentino, Li, Lianhe, Agnew, Gary, Linfield, Edmund, Davies, Giles, Tignon, Jérôme, Mangeney, Juliette, Rakić, Aleksandar D. and Dhillon, Sukhdeep S. (2022). Ultrafast buildup dynamics of terahertz pulse generation in mode-locked quantum cascade lasers. Physical Review Applied, 18 (6) 064054. doi: 10.1103/physrevapplied.18.064054

Ultrafast buildup dynamics of terahertz pulse generation in mode-locked quantum cascade lasers

2022

Conference Publication

Coherent multi-mode dynamics of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers in Fabry-Perot configuration

Silvestri, Carlo, Qi, Xiaoquiong, Taimre, Thomas and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2022). Coherent multi-mode dynamics of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers in Fabry-Perot configuration. The 2022 Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials and Devices, Adelaide, SA Australia, 11-16 December 2022.

Coherent multi-mode dynamics of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers in Fabry-Perot configuration

2022

Conference Publication

Terahertz nanoscopy: a non-destructive characterization tool for nanomaterials and nanostructures

Guo, Xiao, Bertling, Karl, Donose, Bogdan C., He, Xin, Degnan, Zach, Solemanifar, Armin, Zhang, Xueqin, Laycock, Bronwyn, Virdis, Bernardino, Fedorov, Arkady, Jacobson, Peter and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2022). Terahertz nanoscopy: a non-destructive characterization tool for nanomaterials and nanostructures. The 2022 Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials and Devices, Adelaide, SA Australia, 11-16 December 2022.

Terahertz nanoscopy: a non-destructive characterization tool for nanomaterials and nanostructures

2022

Conference Publication

Hydration imaging with THz Quantum Cascade Lasers: Towards Precision Agriculture

Bertling, K., Kashyap, M., Torniainen, J., Kundu, U., Singh, K., Gillespie, T., Lim, Y. L., Dean, P., Indjin, D., Han, Y., Li, L., Sengupta, A., Bandyopadhyay, A., Davies, A.G., Linfield, E. H. and Rakić, A. D. (2022). Hydration imaging with THz Quantum Cascade Lasers: Towards Precision Agriculture. Conference on Optoelectronlc and Microelectronic Materials and Devices, Adelaide, SA Australia, 11-16 December 2022.

Hydration imaging with THz Quantum Cascade Lasers: Towards Precision Agriculture

2022

Journal Article

Multimode dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers: Spontaneous and actively induced generation of dense and harmonic coherent regimes

Silvestri, Carlo, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2022). Multimode dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers: Spontaneous and actively induced generation of dense and harmonic coherent regimes. Physical Review A, 106 (5) 053526, 1-11. doi: 10.1103/physreva.106.053526

Multimode dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers: Spontaneous and actively induced generation of dense and harmonic coherent regimes

2022

Journal Article

Feedback regimes of LFI sensors: experimental investigations

Bertling, Karl, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2022). Feedback regimes of LFI sensors: experimental investigations. Sensors, 22 (22) 9001, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/s22229001

Feedback regimes of LFI sensors: experimental investigations

2022

Journal Article

Self-pulsations in terahertz quantum cascade lasers under strong optical feedback: the effect of multiple reflections in the external cavity

Qi, Xiaoqiong, Loh, Hui Yi, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Indjin, Dragan and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2022). Self-pulsations in terahertz quantum cascade lasers under strong optical feedback: the effect of multiple reflections in the external cavity. Sensors, 22 (21) 8501, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/s22218501

Self-pulsations in terahertz quantum cascade lasers under strong optical feedback: the effect of multiple reflections in the external cavity

2022

Journal Article

Melimine-modified 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds for the prevention of biofilm-related biomaterial infections

Cometta, Silvia, Jones, Robert T., Juárez-Saldivar, Alfredo, Donose, Bogdan C., Yasir, Muhammad, Bock, Nathalie, Dargaville, Tim R., Bertling, Karl, Brünig, Michael, Rakić, Aleksandar D., Willcox, Mark and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2022). Melimine-modified 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds for the prevention of biofilm-related biomaterial infections. ACS Nano, 16 (10), 16497-16512. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05812

Melimine-modified 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds for the prevention of biofilm-related biomaterial infections

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Terahertz Quantum Technology for Melanoma Detection and Progression
    Critical Technologies Challenge Program: Round 1 - Stage 1 Feasibility
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Interaction of light with tissues: A hyper-spectral approach
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Next generation lasers for short-reach optical fibre communication
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Multimode optical waveguide characterisation facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Imaging in the nano-scale age: terahertz and millimetre wave microanalysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    High bandwidth, high speed, terahertz optical sampling and analysis system (ARC LIEF project administered by University of Wollongong)
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Advanced Pulsed Power: an emerging technology for science and engineering systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Engineering the Next Generation of Terahertz Laser Imaging Systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Millimetre Waves for Imaging and Sensing
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Engineering Solutions to Skin Cancer Research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Advanced Superfluid Physics Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Facility for fabrication and characterisation of micro/nano-optoelectronic devices
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Self-mixing sensors based on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: a new technology for tissue characterisation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Microwave frequency measurements
    Boeing Defence Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Biomedical Applications of Self-Mixing Sensors based on Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    DC & RF characterisation and parameter extraction of the kink effect in silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) MOSFET's for device and circuit modelling
    Peregrine Semiconductor Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2006
    National Nanolithography Facility
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Reconfigurable optical interconnection network for ultrahigh-speed computing systems
    University of Queensland Small Grants Scheme
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Aleksandar Rakic is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Application of non-contact THz spectroscopic imaging towards preservation of heritage structures in India

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Bertling

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Raman spectroscopy for diagnostic tissue assessment

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Juha Toyras, Dr Jari Torniainen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Adaptation of Raman spectroscopy for diagnostic assessment of connective tissue integrity

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Juha Toyras, Dr Jari Torniainen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation and design of passive modules for Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) imaging system

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Bertling, Dr Tina Qi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Terahertz Spectroscopy and Imaging in Quantitative Assessment of Plant Hydration Towards Implementing Optimized Irrigation Management in Australia and India

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Application of non-contact THz spectroscopic imaging towards preservation of heritage structures in India

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Bertling

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Bertling, Dr Tina Qi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Indentification of Transgenic Plant Species Using Non-Invasive THz Spectroscopy for Advancing Natural and Organic Farming Practices

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Spatial, spectral and temporal imaging through multimode optical fibre

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Martin Ploschner, Dr Mickael Mounaix, Associate Professor Joel Carpenter

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applications of Multi-Plane Light Conversion

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Martin Ploschner, Dr Mickael Mounaix, Associate Professor Joel Carpenter

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the Interaction of light with biological tissues: a computational modelling approach

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Spatio-Temporal Control of Light Through Multimode Fibres

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Martin Ploschner, Dr Mickael Mounaix, Associate Professor Joel Carpenter

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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