Professor Aleksandar Rakic
Professor

Aleksandar Rakic

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53569

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

Fields of research

Biomedical engineering Engineering Nanophotonics

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.

Search Professor Aleksandar Rakic’s works on UQ eSpace

299 works between 1990 and 2025
All (299) Journal Article (145) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (145) Other Outputs (6) Edited Outputs (1)

81 - 100 of 299 works

2017

Journal Article

Multi-spectral terahertz sensing: proposal for a coupled-cavity quantum cascade laser based optical feedback interferometer

Qi, Xiaoqiong, Agnew, Gary, Kundu, Iman, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Dean, Paul, Grier, Andrew, Valavanis, Alexander, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Indjin, Dragan and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2017). Multi-spectral terahertz sensing: proposal for a coupled-cavity quantum cascade laser based optical feedback interferometer. Optics Express, 25 (9), 10153-10165. doi: 10.1364/OE.25.010153

Multi-spectral terahertz sensing: proposal for a coupled-cavity quantum cascade laser based optical feedback interferometer

2017

Journal Article

Surface roughness characterisation using optical feedback interferometry

Herbert, Jeremy, Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Rakic, Aleksandar and Wilson, Stephen J. (2017). Surface roughness characterisation using optical feedback interferometry. Electronics Letters, 53 (4), 268-270. doi: 10.1049/el.2016.4134

Surface roughness characterisation using optical feedback interferometry

2017

Conference Publication

Dynamic modelling of coupled-cavity Terahertz Quantum Cascade lasers with optical feedback

Xiaoqiong, Qi , Agnew, Gary , Kundu, Iman , Taimre, Thomas , Lim, Yah Leng , Bertling, Karl , Han, She , Dean, Paul , Grier, Andrew , Valavanis, Alexander , Linfield, Edmund , Davies, A. Giles , Indjin, Dragan and Rakic, Aleksandar (2017). Dynamic modelling of coupled-cavity Terahertz Quantum Cascade lasers with optical feedback. ITQW 2017: 14th International Conference on Intersubband Transitions in Quantum Wells, Sands Expo and Convention Center, Singapore, 11-15 September 2017.

Dynamic modelling of coupled-cavity Terahertz Quantum Cascade lasers with optical feedback

2016

Journal Article

Temperature dependent high speed dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Agnew, Gary, Grier, Andrew, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Ikonic, Zoran, Dean, Paul, Valavanis, Alexander, Harrison, Paul, Indjin, Dragan and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2016). Temperature dependent high speed dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 23 (99) 7792643, 1-9. doi: 10.1109/JSTQE.2016.2638539

Temperature dependent high speed dynamics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers

2016

Journal Article

Origin of terminal voltage variations due to self-mixing in terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers

Grier, Andrew, Dean, Paul, Valavanis, Alexander, Keeley, James, Kundu, Iman, Cooper, Jonathan D., Agnew, Gary, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Rakic, Aleksander D., Li, Lianhe H., Harrison, Paul, Linfield, Edmund, Ikonic, Zoran, Davies, A. Giles and Indjin, Dragan (2016). Origin of terminal voltage variations due to self-mixing in terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers. Optics Express, 24 (19), 21948-21956. doi: 10.1364/OE.24.021948

Origin of terminal voltage variations due to self-mixing in terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers

2016

Journal Article

Concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry to improve skin cancer imaging: a Monte Carlo model and experimental validation

Mowla, Alireza, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Wilson, Stephen J., Prow, Tarl W., Soyer, H. Peter and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2016). Concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry to improve skin cancer imaging: a Monte Carlo model and experimental validation. Sensors, 16 (9) 1411, 1411. doi: 10.3390/s16091411

Concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry to improve skin cancer imaging: a Monte Carlo model and experimental validation

2016

Journal Article

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

Agnew, Gary, Grier, Andrew, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Ikonić, Zoran, Valavanis, Alexander, Dean, Paul, Cooper, Jonathan, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Harrison, Paul, Indjin, Dragan and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2016). Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback. Optics Express, 24 (18), 20554-20570. doi: 10.1364/OE.24.020554

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

2016

Journal Article

A compact laser imaging system for concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry

Mowla, Alireza, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Wilson, Stephen J., Prow, Tarl W. and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2016). A compact laser imaging system for concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry. IEEE Photonics Journal, 8 (5) 3900709, 1-9. doi: 10.1109/JPHOT.2016.2599014

A compact laser imaging system for concurrent reflectance confocal microscopy and laser doppler flowmetry

2016

Journal Article

Microwave head imaging system using analogue fibre-optic link for improved detection and localisation

Mohammed, B. J., Bertling, K., Abbosh, A. M. and Rakic, A. D. (2016). Microwave head imaging system using analogue fibre-optic link for improved detection and localisation. Electronics Letters, 52 (16), 1366-1368. doi: 10.1049/el.2016.1502

Microwave head imaging system using analogue fibre-optic link for improved detection and localisation

2016

Journal Article

Simple Electrical Modulation Scheme for Laser Feedback Imaging

Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Agnew, Gary, Lim, Yah Leng, Dean, Paul, Indjin, Dragan, Hofling, Sven, Weih, Robert, Kamp, Martin, von Edlinger, Michael, Koeth, Johannes and Rakic, Aleksandar (2016). Simple Electrical Modulation Scheme for Laser Feedback Imaging. IEEE Sensors Journal, 16 (7) 7350095, 1937-1942. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2015.2507184

Simple Electrical Modulation Scheme for Laser Feedback Imaging

2016

Journal Article

Laser feedback interferometry as a tool for analysis of granular materials at terahertz frequencies: towards imaging and identification of plastic explosives

Han, She, Bertling, Karl, Dean, Paul, Keeley, James, Burnett, Andrew D., Lim, Yah Leng, Khanna, Suraj P., Valavanis, Alexander, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Indjin, Dragan, Taimre, Thomas and Rakic, Aleksandar (2016). Laser feedback interferometry as a tool for analysis of granular materials at terahertz frequencies: towards imaging and identification of plastic explosives. Sensors, 16 (3) 352, 352+. doi: 10.3390/s16030352

Laser feedback interferometry as a tool for analysis of granular materials at terahertz frequencies: towards imaging and identification of plastic explosives

2016

Journal Article

WKB method for potentials unbounded from below

Demic, Aleksandar, Milanovic, Vitomir, Radovanovic, Jelena and Music, Milenko (2016). WKB method for potentials unbounded from below. Modern Physics Letters B, 30 (3) 1650003. doi: 10.1142/S0217984916500032

WKB method for potentials unbounded from below

2016

Journal Article

FPGA implementation of a high-speed, realtime, windowed standard deviation filter

Herbert, J., Wilson, S., Rakic, A. D. and Taimre, T. (2016). FPGA implementation of a high-speed, realtime, windowed standard deviation filter. Electronics Letters, 52 (1), 22-23. doi: 10.1049/el.2015.2407

FPGA implementation of a high-speed, realtime, windowed standard deviation filter

2016

Conference Publication

Self-mixing as a means of spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL

Keeley, J., Freeman, J., Valavanis, A., Mohandas, R., Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Li, L. H., Indjin, D., Rakic, Aleksandar, Linfield, E. H., Davies, A. G. and Dean, P. (2016). Self-mixing as a means of spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL. UK Semiconductors 2016, Sheffield, United Kingdom, 6-7 July 2016.

Self-mixing as a means of spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL

2016

Conference Publication

Prediction of Turn-on Delay in a Pulsed Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

Agnew, G., Grier, A., Taimre, T., Lim, Y. L., Bertling, K., Ikonic, Z., Valavanis, A., Dean, P., Cooper, J., Khanna, S. P., Lachab, M., Linfield, E. H., Davies, A. G., Harrison, P., Indjin, D. and Rakić, A. D. (2016). Prediction of Turn-on Delay in a Pulsed Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser. Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials and Devices (COMMAD 2016), Sydney, Australia, 12-14 December 2016.

Prediction of Turn-on Delay in a Pulsed Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

2016

Conference Publication

Spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL through self-mixing

Keeley, J., Freeman, J., Valavanis, A., Mohandas, R., Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Li, L. H., Indjin, D., Rakic, Aleksandar, Linfield, E. H., Davies, A. G. and Dean, P. (2016). Spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL through self-mixing. International Quantum Cascade Lasers School and Workshop 2016 (IQCLSW 2016), Cambridge, UK, 4-9 September 2016.

Spectral characterisation of a Terahertz QCL through self-mixing

2016

Conference Publication

Diffuse reflectance imaging for non-melanoma skin cancer detection using laser feedback interferometry

Mowla, Alireza, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah L., Bertling, Karl, Wilson, Stephen J., Prow, Tarl W., Soyer, H. Peter and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2016). Diffuse reflectance imaging for non-melanoma skin cancer detection using laser feedback interferometry. SPIE Photonics Europe, Brussels, Belguim, 3-7 April 2016. BELLINGHAM: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2227449

Diffuse reflectance imaging for non-melanoma skin cancer detection using laser feedback interferometry

2016

Conference Publication

Laser feedback interferometry with THz QCLs: a new technology for imaging and materials analysis

Rakić, Aleksandar D., Agnew, Gary, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas, Grier, Andrew, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Ikonić, Zoran, Valavanis, Alexander, Dean, Paul, Cooper, Jonathan, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Wilson, Stephen J., Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Harrison, Paul and Indjin, Dragan (2016). Laser feedback interferometry with THz QCLs: a new technology for imaging and materials analysis. The 8th International Symposium on Ultrafast Phenomena and Terahertz Waves, Chongqing, China, 10–12 October 2016. Washington, DC, United States: Optical Society of America. doi: 10.1364/ISUPTW.2016.IW4A.1

Laser feedback interferometry with THz QCLs: a new technology for imaging and materials analysis

2016

Conference Publication

Terahertz Frequency Quantum Cascade Lasers: Optical Feedback Effects and Applications

Rakic, Aleksandar, Agnew, Gary, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Han, She, Wilson, Stephen J., Grier, Andrew, Kundu, Iman, Li, Lianhe, Valavanis, Alexander, Dean, Paul, Ikonic, Zoran, Cooper, Jonathan, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Harrison, Paul and Indjin, Dragan (2016). Terahertz Frequency Quantum Cascade Lasers: Optical Feedback Effects and Applications. 16th International Conference on Numerical Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices, Sydney, Australia, 11-15 July 2016. NEW YORK: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/NUSOD.2016.7546996

Terahertz Frequency Quantum Cascade Lasers: Optical Feedback Effects and Applications

2016

Conference Publication

Optical feedback effects on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: modelling and applications

Rakic, Aleksandar D., Lim, Yah Leng, Taimre, Thomas, Agnew, Gary, Qi, Xiaoqiong, Bertling, Karl, Han, She, Wilson, Stephen J., Kundu, Iman, Grier, Andrew, Ikonić, Zoran, Valavanis, Alexander, Demić, Aleksandar, Keeley, James, Li, Lianhe H., Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Harrison, Paul, Ferguson, Blake, Walker, Graeme, Prow, Tarl, Indjin, Dragan and Soyer, H. Peter (2016). Optical feedback effects on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: modelling and applications. Infrared, Millimeter-Wave, and Terahertz Technologies IV, Beijing, China, 12 October 2016. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2250621

Optical feedback effects on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: modelling and applications

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

Availability

Professor Aleksandar Rakic is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    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

    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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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