Rate My Professor Aleksandar Rakic

Professor Aleksandar D. Rakić is a Professor of Photonics in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Queensland, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. He serves as Associate Dean (External Engagement), overseeing international partnerships, student recruitment, and external relations, and leads the Photonics and Microwave Engineering group. Rakić's academic journey includes a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Master of Engineering from the University of Belgrade, followed by a PhD from The University of Queensland in 2000, titled 'Investigation into optical characteristics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers for applications in optical communications'. Appointed Professor in 2016, he has held the role of Director for International Development in the School since 2010, driving significant growth in international student intake.

His research focuses on terahertz photonics, laser feedback interferometry with semiconductor lasers including VCSELs, quantum cascade lasers, and interband cascade lasers, and their applications in sensing and imaging for biomedical diagnostics, precision agriculture, security, defense, and cultural heritage. Rakić's group pioneered world-first laser-feedback interferometric sensors based on monolithic VCSEL arrays, blue-green lasers, terahertz quantum cascade lasers, and mid-infrared interband cascade lasers, along with coherent terahertz imaging systems and terahertz nanoscopy. Notable publications include 'Self-mixing in quantum cascade lasers: theory and applications' (book chapter, 2023), 'Terahertz nanoscopy: advances, challenges, and the road ahead' (2024), 'Coherent three-dimensional terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser' (2013), 'Terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser' (2011), and 'Passive beam shaping for terahertz quantum cascade lasers' (2026). With over 300 publications comprising 151 journal articles, 155 conference papers, and 2 book chapters, his work has advanced non-destructive testing and in vivo imaging, such as skin cancer detection and plant hydration monitoring. In 2025, he received the IEEE Photonics Society Laser Instrumentation Award for pioneering contributions to laser feedback interferometry using terahertz quantum cascade lasers. Rakić has led numerous funded projects, including ARC Discovery grants for terahertz technologies in cultural heritage (Taj Mahal case study, 2026-2029) and quantum cascade laser imaging for melanoma detection.