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)

121 - 140 of 299 works

2014

Journal Article

Solving self-mixing equations for arbitrary feedback levels: a concise algorithm

Kliese, Russel, Taimre, Thomas, Bakar, A. Ashrif A., Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Nikolić, Milan, Perchoux, Julien, Bosch, Thierry and Rakić, Aleksandar D. (2014). Solving self-mixing equations for arbitrary feedback levels: a concise algorithm. Applied Optics, 53 (17), 3723-3736. doi: 10.1364/AO.53.003723

Solving self-mixing equations for arbitrary feedback levels: a concise algorithm

2014

Journal Article

Terahertz inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging using self-mixing interferometry with a quantum cascade laser

Lui, H. S., Taimre, T., Bertling, K., Lim, Y. L., Dean, P., Khanna, S. P., Lachab, M., Valavanis, A., Indjin, D., Linfield, E. H., Davies, A. G. and Rakic, A. D. (2014). Terahertz inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging using self-mixing interferometry with a quantum cascade laser. Optics Letters, 39 (9), 2629-2632. doi: 10.1364/OL.39.002629

Terahertz inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging using self-mixing interferometry with a quantum cascade laser

2014

Journal Article

On the nature of Acket’s characteristic parameter C in semiconductor lasers

Taimre, Thomas and Rakic, Aleksandar (2014). On the nature of Acket’s characteristic parameter C in semiconductor lasers. Applied Optics, 53 (5), 1001-1006. doi: 10.1364/AO.53.001001

On the nature of Acket’s characteristic parameter C in semiconductor lasers

2014

Journal Article

Self-mixing sensing system based on uncooled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array: linking multichannel operation and enhanced performance

Tucker, John R., Mowla, Alireza, Herbert, Jeremy, Fuentes, Miguel A., Freakley, Craig S., Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Matharu, Ranveer S., Perchoux, Julien, Taimre, Thomas, Wilson, Stephen J. and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2014). Self-mixing sensing system based on uncooled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array: linking multichannel operation and enhanced performance. Optics Letters, 39 (2), 394-397. doi: 10.1364/OL.39.000394

Self-mixing sensing system based on uncooled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array: linking multichannel operation and enhanced performance

2014

Conference Publication

Coherent THz imaging using the self-mixing effect in quantum cascade lasers

Dean, P., Taimre, T., Lui, H. S., Bertling, K., Lim, Y. L., Valavanis, A., Keeley, J., Alhathlool, R., Chowdhury, S., Li, L. H., Khanna, S. P., Lachab, M., Indjin, D., Rakic, A. D., Linfield, E. H. and Davies, A. G. (2014). Coherent THz imaging using the self-mixing effect in quantum cascade lasers. Optical Sensors, Barcelona Spain, 27-31 July 2014. Washington, D.C.: Optical Society of American (OSA). doi: 10.1364/SENSORS.2014.SeTh4B.3

Coherent THz imaging using the self-mixing effect in quantum cascade lasers

2014

Conference Publication

Electrical modulation schemes for imaging by self-mixing in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Keeley, J. T., Dean, P., Valavanis, A., Bertling, K., Taimre, T., Lim, Y. L., Alhathlool, R., Chowdhury, S., Li, L. H., Indjin, D., Rakić, A., Linfield, E. H. and Davies, A. G. (2014). Electrical modulation schemes for imaging by self-mixing in terahertz quantum cascade lasers. IQCLSW 2014: 1st International Quantum Cascade Lasers School and Workshop, Policoro (Matera), Italy, 7-12 September, 2014.

Electrical modulation schemes for imaging by self-mixing in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

2014

Conference Publication

Effect of the optical numerical aperture on the Doppler spectrum in laser Doppler velocimetry

Mowla, Alireza, Nikolic, Milan, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Rakic, Aleksandar D. and Taimre, Thomas (2014). Effect of the optical numerical aperture on the Doppler spectrum in laser Doppler velocimetry. Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials and Devices, Perth, WA, Australia, 14-17 December 2014. Perth, WA, Australia: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. doi: 10.1109/COMMAD.2014.7038654

Effect of the optical numerical aperture on the Doppler spectrum in laser Doppler velocimetry

2014

Conference Publication

A QCL model with integrated thermal and stark rollover mechanisms

Agnew, Gary, Grier, Andrew, Taimre, Thomas, Lim, Yah Leng, Ikonic, Zoran, Dean, Paul, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Valavanis, Alexander, Cooper, Jonathan, Harrison, Paul, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Indjin, Dragan and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2014). A QCL model with integrated thermal and stark rollover mechanisms. 2014 Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials & Devices (COMMAD), Perth, Australia, 14-17 December 2014. Piscataway NJ United States: IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers). doi: 10.1109/COMMAD.2014.7038649

A QCL model with integrated thermal and stark rollover mechanisms

2014

Conference Publication

THz QCL self-mixing interferometry for biomedical applications

Rakić, Aleksandar, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Wilson, Stephen J., Nikolić, Milan, Valavanis, Alexander, Indjin, Dragan, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles, Ferguson, Blake, Walker, Graeme, Schaider, Helmut and Soyer, H. Peter (2014). THz QCL self-mixing interferometry for biomedical applications. SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications Conference 2014, San Diego, United States, 17-21 August 2014. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2061433

THz QCL self-mixing interferometry for biomedical applications

2014

Conference Publication

Effect of injection current on signal strength in a single-mode laser diode optical feedback interferometer subject to weak feedback

Roumy, Jalal Al, Perchoux, Julien, Lim, Yah Leng, Taimre, Thomas, Rakic, Aleksandar D. and Bosch, Thierry (2014). Effect of injection current on signal strength in a single-mode laser diode optical feedback interferometer subject to weak feedback. European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2015, Munich,, 21-25 June 2015. OSA - The Optical Society.

Effect of injection current on signal strength in a single-mode laser diode optical feedback interferometer subject to weak feedback

2014

Conference Publication

High-power (> 1 Watt) terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers for stand-off imaging

Valavanis, A., Dean, P., Li, L., Burnett, A. D., Keeley, J., Chowdhury, S., Alhathlool, R., Chen, L., Zhu, J., Han, J., Freeman, J., Khanna, S. P., Indjin, D., Davies, A. G., Linfield, E. H., Taimre, T., Lim, Y. L., Bertling, K. and Rakic, A. (2014). High-power (> 1 Watt) terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers for stand-off imaging. Sensors and Electronics Panel (SET) Specialists’ Meeting, Salisbury, United Kingdom, 24-25 July 2014. NATO Science and Technology Organization.

High-power (> 1 Watt) terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers for stand-off imaging

2013

Journal Article

Demonstration of the self-mixing effect in interband cascade lasers

Bertling, K., Lim, Y. L., Taimre, T., Indjin, D., Dean, P., Weih, R., Höfling, S., Kamp, M., von Edlinger, M., Koeth, J. and Rakić, A. (2013). Demonstration of the self-mixing effect in interband cascade lasers. Applied Physics Letters, 103 (23) 231107, 231107.1-231107.3. doi: 10.1063/1.4839535

Demonstration of the self-mixing effect in interband cascade lasers

2013

Journal Article

Self-mixing laser Doppler flow sensor: an optofluidic implementation

Nikolić, Milan, Hicks, Elaine, Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl and Rakić, Aleksandar (2013). Self-mixing laser Doppler flow sensor: an optofluidic implementation. Applied Optics, 52 (33), 8128-8133. doi: 10.1364/AO.52.008128

Self-mixing laser Doppler flow sensor: an optofluidic implementation

2013

Journal Article

Coherent three-dimensional terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser

Dean, Paul, Valavanis, Alex, Keeley, James, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Alhathlool, Raed, Chowdhury, Siddhant, Taimre, Thomas, Li, Lianhe H., Indjin, Dragan, Wilson, Stephen J., Rakić, Aleksandar, Linfield, Edmund H. and Davies, A. Giles (2013). Coherent three-dimensional terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser. Applied Physics Letters, 103 (18) 181112, 181112.1-181112.4. doi: 10.1063/1.4827886

Coherent three-dimensional terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser

2013

Journal Article

Swept-frequency feedback interferometry using terahertz frequency QCLs: a method for imaging and materials analysis

Rakić, Aleksandar, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Dean, Paul, Indjin, Dragan, Ikonić, Zoran, Harrison, Paul, Valavanis, Alexander, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Wilson, Stephen J., Linfield, Edmund H. and Davies, A. Giles (2013). Swept-frequency feedback interferometry using terahertz frequency QCLs: a method for imaging and materials analysis. Optics Express, 21 (19), 22194-22205. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.022194

Swept-frequency feedback interferometry using terahertz frequency QCLs: a method for imaging and materials analysis

2013

Journal Article

Approach to frequency estimation in self-mixing interferometry: multiple signal classification

Nikolic, Milan, Jovanovic, Dejan P., Lim, Yah Leng, Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2013). Approach to frequency estimation in self-mixing interferometry: multiple signal classification. Applied Optics, 52 (14), 3345-3350. doi: 10.1364/AO.52.003345

Approach to frequency estimation in self-mixing interferometry: multiple signal classification

2013

Journal Article

On the feasibility of self-mixing interferometer sensing for detection of the surface electrocardiographic signal using a customized electro-optic phase modulator

Bakar, A. Ashrif A., Lim, Yah Leng, Wilson, Stephen J., Fuentes, Miguel, Bertling, Karl, Taimre, Thomas, Bosch, Thierry and Rakic, Aleksandar D. (2013). On the feasibility of self-mixing interferometer sensing for detection of the surface electrocardiographic signal using a customized electro-optic phase modulator. Physiological Measurement, 34 (2), 281-289. doi: 10.1088/0967-3334/34/2/281

On the feasibility of self-mixing interferometer sensing for detection of the surface electrocardiographic signal using a customized electro-optic phase modulator

2013

Conference Publication

Self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers: applications in sensing and imaging

Rakić, Aleksandar D., Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Dean, Paul, Keeley, James, Valavanis, Alex, Alhathlool, Raed, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Indjin, Dragan, Ikonic, Zoran, Harrison, Paul, Linfield, Edmund H. and Davies, A. Giles (2013). Self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers: applications in sensing and imaging. ICP2013: 4th International Conference on Photonics, Melaka, Malaysia, 28-30 October, 2013. Piscataway, NJ, USA: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ICP.2013.6687056

Self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers: applications in sensing and imaging

2013

Conference Publication

Coherent imaging and sensing using the self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers

Dean, Paul, Taimre, Thomas, Bertling, Karl, Lim, Yah Leng, Keeley, James, Valavanis, Alex, Alhathlool, Raed, Khanna, Suraj P., Lachab, Mohammad, Indjin, Dragan, Linfield, Edmund H., Davies, A. Giles and Rakić, Aleksandar (2013). Coherent imaging and sensing using the self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers. ITQW 2013: The 12th International Conference on Intersubband Transitions in Quantum Wells, Boston Landing, NY, USA, 16-20 September, 2013. Princeton, NJ, United States: Princeton University.

Coherent imaging and sensing using the self-mixing effect in THz quantum cascade lasers

2013

Journal Article

Self-mixing interferometry with terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Valavanis, Alex, Dean, Paul, Lim, Yah Leng, Alhathlool, Raed, Nikolić, Milan, Kliese, Russell, Khanna, Suraj P., Indjin, Dragan, Wilson, Stephen J., Rakić, Aleksandar D., Linfield, Edmund H. and Davies, Giles (2013). Self-mixing interferometry with terahertz quantum cascade lasers. IEEE Sensors Journal, 13 (1), 37-43. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2012.2218594

Self-mixing interferometry with terahertz quantum cascade lasers

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

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

    THz imaging using optical feedback in quantum cascade lasers.

    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

Enquiries

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