Hi! I'm Lukasz Sterczewski, an assistant professor (adiunkt)
and ERC grantee at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology in Poland.

I am a former researcher at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I develop lasers and spectroscopic techniques in the mid-infrared and terahertz range.
My passion is to employ optics and electronics for practical purposes.

 Publications

Please find the list of my publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference presentations below.
Disclaimer: Manuscripts here are for non-commercial, educational or personal use only and are not intended for mass dissemination or copying.
My academic profiles:

Publications

  1. J. Hayden, M. Geiser, M. Gianella, R. Horvath, A. Hugi, L. Sterczewski, and M. Mangold, "Mid-Infrared Dual-Comb Spectroscopy with Quantum Cascade Lasers," APL Photonics 9, 031101, (2024). ( pdf ) ( AIP )
  2. L. A. Sterczewski, and M. Bagheri, "Sub-nominal Resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometry with Chip-Based Combs," Laser & Photonics Reviews XX, 2300724 (2024). ( pdf ) ( supplementary ) ( ArXiv ) ( dataset )
  3. J. Boguslawski, L. A. Sterczewski, D. Stachowiak, and G. Sobon, "Intracavity filtering in SESAM mode-locked fiber lasers: soliton effects and noise performance," Optics Express 31, 27667-27676 (2023). ( pdf ) ( OPG ) ( supplementary ) ( code & data ) ( ArXiv )
  4. J. Ciazela, J. Bakala, M. Kowalinski, B. Pieterek, M. Steslicki, M. Ciazela, G. Paslawski, N. Zalewska, L. Sterczewski, Z. Szaforz, M. Jozefowicz, D. Marciniak, M. Fitt, A. Sniadkowski, M. Rataj, and T. Mrozek, "Lunar ore geology and feasibility of ore mineral detection using a far-IR spectrometer," Frontiers in Earth Science 11, 1190825 (2023). ( pdf ) ( Frontiers ) ( code ) ( ArXiv )
  5. L. A. Sterczewski, and J. Sotor, "Two-photon imaging of soliton dynamics," Nature Communications 14, 3339 (2023). ( pdf ) ( NPG ) ( ArXiv )
  6. G. Wysocki, J. Westberg, and L. A. Sterczewski, "Multi-Heterodyne Spectroscopic Sensing and Applications of Mid-Infrared and Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers", in Mid-Infrared and Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers, book edited by D. Botez and M. A. Belkin (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2023). ( pdf ) ( Cambridge )
  7. L. A. Sterczewski, M. Fradet, C. Frez, S. Forouhar, and M. Bagheri, "Battery-operated mid-infrared diode laser frequency combs," Laser & Photonics Reviews 17, 2200224 (2023). ( pdf ) ( ArXiv ) ( Wiley ) ( Journal cover )
  8. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, and G. Wysocki, "Fast computational phase and timing correction for multiheterodyne spectroscopy," US Patent 11,499,867 (2022). ( pdf US )
  9. H. Tian, R. Li, T. Endo, T. Kato, A. Asahara, L. A. Sterczewski, K. Minoshima, "Dual-comb spectroscopy using free-running mechanical sharing dual-comb fiber lasers," Applied Physics Letters 121, 211104, (2022). ( pdf ) ( AIP ) ( ArXiv )
  10. H. Tian, R. Li, L. A. Sterczewski, T. Kato, A. Asahara, K. Minoshima, "Quasi-real-time dual-comb spectroscopy with 750-MHz Yb:fiber combs," Optics Express 30, 28427-28437 (2022). ( pdf ) ( OPG ) ( video ) ( ArXiv )
  11. M. Kowalczyk, L. A. Sterczewski, X. Zhang, V. Petrov, and J. Sotor, "Dual-dispersion-regime dual-comb mode-locked laser," Optics Letters 47, 1762-1765 (2022). ( pdf ) ( code & data ) ( OPG ) ( ArXiv ) ( suppl. )
  12. L. A. Sterczewski*, T.-L. Chen*, D. C. Ober, C. R. Markus, C. L. Canedy, I. Vurgaftman, C. Frez, J. R. Meyer, M. Okumura, and M. Bagheri, "Cavity-enhanced Vernier spectroscopy with a chip-scale mid-infrared frequency comb," ACS Photonics 9, 994–1001 (2022). ( pdf ) ( ACS ) ( ArXiv ) ( Journal cover )
  13. I. Vurgaftman, C. D. Merritt, C. L. Canedy, C. S. Kim, M. Kim, W. W. Bewley, L. A. Sterczewski, M. Bagheri, C. Frez, and J. R. Meyer, "Toward Robust and Practical Interband Cascade Laser Frequency Combs: A Perspective," Applied Physics Letters 119, 230503 (2021). ( pdf ) ( AIP )
  14. L. A. Sterczewski M. Bagheri, C. Frez, C. L. Canedy, I. Vurgaftman, M. Kim, C. S. Kim, C. D. Merritt, W. W. Bewley and J. R. Meyer, "Interband cascade laser frequency combs (invited review)," Journal of Physics Photonics 3, 042003 (2021). ( pdf ) ( IOP )
  15. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, and G. Wysocki, "Fast computational phase and timing correction for multiheterodyne spectroscopy," US Patent 11,015,975 (2021), International Patent Application, WO 2018/213286 A1 (2018). ( pdf US ) ( pdf WO ) ( PatentScope )
  16. M. Kowalczyk, L. A. Sterczewski, X. Zhang, V. Petrov, Z. Wang, and J. Sotor, "Dual-comb femtosecond solid-state laser with inherent polarization-multiplexing," Laser & Photonics Reviews 15, 2000441 (2021). ( pdf ) ( ArXiv ) ( suppl. ) ( Wiley ) ( Journal cover )
  17. L. A. Sterczewski and M. Bagheri, "Subsampling dual-comb spectroscopy," Optics Letters 45, 4895-4898 (2020). ( pdf ) ( code ) ( OSA ) ( Paper promo )
  18. L. A. Sterczewski, C. Frez, S. Forouhar, D. Burghoff, and M. Bagheri, "Frequency-modulated diode laser frequency combs at 2 μm wavelength," APL Photonics 5, 076111 (2020) [Featured article] [Journal cover article]. ( pdf ) ( suppl. ) ( AIP ) ( Scilight ) ( Journal cover )
  19. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, Y. Yang, D. Burghoff, J. Reno, Q. Hu, and G. Wysocki, "Terahertz spectroscopy of gas mixtures with dual quantum cascade laser frequency combs," ACS Photonics 7, 1082-1087 (2020). ( pdf ) ( ACS ) ( accepted )
  20. L. A. Sterczewski, M. Bagheri, C. Frez, C. L. Canedy, I. Vurgaftman, and J. R. Meyer, "Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with room-temperature bi-functional interband cascade lasers and detectors," Applied Physics Letters 116, 141102 (2020) [Editor's pick]. ( pdf ) ( accepted ) ( AIP ) ( Scilight )
  21. L. A. Sterczewski, M. Bagheri, C. Frez, C. L. Canedy, I. Vurgaftman, M. Kim, C. S. Kim, C. D. Merritt, W. W. Bewley, and J. R. Meyer, "Near-infrared frequency comb generation in mid-infrared interband cascade lasers," Optics Letters 44, 5828-5831 (2019). ( pdf ) ( OSA ) ( accepted )
  22. L. A. Sterczewski, A. Przewloka, W. Kaszub, and J. Sotor, "Computational Doppler-limited dual-comb spectroscopy with a free-running all-fiber laser," APL Photonics, 4, 116102 (2019) [Editor's pick]. ( pdf ) ( suppl. ) ( APL ) ( ArXiv )
  23. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, and G. Wysocki, "Computational coherent averaging for free-running dual-comb spectroscopy," Optics Express 27, 23875-23893 (2019). ( pdf ) ( OSA ) ( ArXiv )
  24. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, Y. Yang, D. Burghoff, J. Reno, Q. Hu, and G. Wysocki, "Terahertz hyperspectral imaging with dual chip-scale combs," Optica, 6, 766-771 (2019). ( pdf ) ( suppl. )
  25. ( ArXiv ) ( ScienceDaily , Princeton Website , Photonics Online ) ( Top-downloaded paper )
  26. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, M. Bagheri, C. Frez, I. Vurgaftman, C. L. Canedy, W. W. Bewley, C. D. Merritt, C. S. Kim, M. Kim, J. R. Meyer, and G. Wysocki, "Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with interband cascade lasers," Optics Letters 44, 2113-2116 (2019). ( pdf ) ( ArXiv )
  27. L. A. Sterczewski, "Signal processing in terahertz and mid-infrared spectroscopy with frequency combs," Ph.D. thesis, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (2018). ( pdf )
  28. J. Westberg*, L. A. Sterczewski*, F. Kapsalidis, Y. Bidaux, J. M Wolf, M. Beck, J. Faist, and G. Wysocki, "Dual-comb spectroscopy using plasmon-enhanced-waveguide dispersion-compensated quantum cascade lasers," Optics Letters 43, 4522-4525 (2018). ( pdf )
  29. M. Bagheri, C. Frez, L. A. Sterczewski, I. Gruidin, M. Fradet, I. Vurgaftman, C. L. Canedy, W. W. Bewley, C. D. Merritt, C. S. Kim, M. Kim, and J. R. Meyer, "Passively mode-locked interband cascade optical frequency combs," Scientific Reports 8, 3322 (2018). ( pdf ) ( suppl. )
  30. L. A. Sterczewski, K. Nowak, B. Szlachetko, M. P. Grzelczak, B. S-. Siega., S. Plinska, W. Malinka, and E. F. Plinski, "Chemometric Evaluation of THz Spectral Similarity for the Selection of Early Drug Candidates," Scientific Reports 7, 14583 (2017). ( pdf ) ( suppl. )
  31. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, C. L. Patrick, C. S. Kim, M. Kim, C. L. Canedy, W. W. Bewley, C. D. Merritt, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, and G. Wysocki, "Multiheterodyne spectroscopy using interband cascade lasers," Optical Engineering 57, 011014 (2018). ( pdf ) ( ArXiv )
  32. J. Westberg*, L. A. Sterczewski*, and G. Wysocki, "Mid-infrared multiheterodyne spectroscopy with phase-locked quantum cascade lasers," Applied Physics Letters 110, 141108 (2017). ( pdf ) ( suppl. )
  33. L. A. Sterczewski*, J. Westberg*, and G. Wysocki, "Molecular dispersion spectroscopy based on Fabry-Pérot quantum cascade lasers," Optics Letters 42, 243-246 (2017). ( pdf )
  34. L. A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, K. Nowak, B. Szlachetko, and E. F. Plinski, "Bayesian separation algorithm of THz spectral sources applied to D-glucose monohydrate dehydration kinetics," Chemical Physics Letters 644, 45–50 (2016). ( pdf )
  35. L. A. Sterczewski, J. Westberg, and G. Wysocki, "Tuning properties of mid-infrared Fabry-Pérot quantum cascade lasers for multiheterodyne spectroscopy," Photonics Letters of Poland 8, 113–115 (2016). [invited] ( pdf )
  36. L. A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, and E. F. Plinski, "Heating system of pellet samples integrated with terahertz spectrometer," Review of Scientific Instruments 87, 13106 (2016). ( pdf )
  37. L. A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, and E. F. Plinski, "Terahertz antenna electronic chopper," Review of Scientific Instruments 87, 14702 (2016). ( pdf )
  38. L. A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, K. Nowak, and E. F. Plinski, "Cast terahertz lenses made of caramelized sucrose," Optical Engineering 55, 90505 (2016). ( pdf )
  39. K. Nowak, E. F. Plinski, B. Karolewicz, P. P. Jarzab, S. Plinska, B. Fuglewicz, M. J. Walczakowski, L. Augustyn, L. A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, M. Hruszowiec, G. Beziuk, M. Mikulic, N. Palka, and M. Szustakowski, "Selected aspects of terahertz spectroscopy in pharmaceutical sciences," Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica 72, 851—866 (2015). ( pdf )
  40. _______________________
    *These authors contributed equally

Full-length proceeding articles

  1. L.A. Sterczewski, M. P. Grzelczak, K. Nowak, B. Szlachetko, S. Plinska, B. Szczesniak-Siega, W. Malinka, and E. F. Plinski, "Piroxicam derivatives THz classification," SPIE Photonics West 2016, CA, USA, February 13-18 (2016). (Best student paper award) ( pdf )
  2. C. L. Patrick, L. A. Sterczewski, J. Westberg, W. W. Bewley, C. D. Merritt, C. L. Canedy, C. S. Kim, M. Kim, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, and G. Wysocki; "Multi-heterodyne spectroscopy using Fabry-Perot interband cascade lasers for trace gas detection: a feasibility assessment," SPIE Photonics West 2017, CA, USA, January 28–February 2 (2017). ( pdf )

Presentations

  1. L. A. Sterczewski, "Battery-operated mid-infrared frequency combs", Closing Conference of the National Laboratory for Photonics and Quantum Technologies (NLPQT) Project, Warsaw, Poland, October 19–20 (2023). ( pdf )
  2. L. A. Sterczewski, "THz radiation – generation, detection, and applications" (invited tutorial), National Laboratory for Photonics and Quantum Technologies (NLPQT) Workshop, Wroclaw, Poland, September 25 (2023). ( pdf )
  3. L. A. Sterczewski, and M. Bagheri, "Broadband high-resolution Fourier spectrometry with chip-scale combs (invited)", IEEE RAPID (Research and Applications of Photonics in Defense) 2023, Miramar Beach, FL, USA, September 11-13 (2023). [Supported by a travel grant by DoD] ( pdf )
  4. L. A. Sterczewski, "Spektroskopia laserowa wykorzystująca półprzewodnikowe grzebienie częstotliwości optycznej (invited) [in Polish]", 48 Zjazd Fizykow Polskich, Gdansk, Poland, September 1-7 (2023). ( pdf )
  5. L. A. Sterczewski, J. Mnich, and J. Sotor, "Multi-Octave THz Wave Generation in PNPA crystal at MHz Repetition Rates", 16th International Conference on Mid-Infrared Optoelectronics: Materials and Devices (MIOMD 2023), Norman, Oklahoma, USA, August 6-10 (2023). ( pdf )
  6. L. A. Sterczewski, and M. Bagheri, "MHz-Resolution Fourier Transform Spectroscopy with Millimeter-Scale Optical Path Differences", Optica Sensing Congress (2023), Munich, Germany, July 30–August 3 (2023). ( pdf )
  7. L. A. Sterczewski, "Terahercowe grzebienie czestotliwosci optycznych" [in Polish], Polish Optical Conference (PKO), Torun, Poland, July 4 (2023).
  8. L. A. Sterczewski, "Sub-nominal resolution Fourier transform spectrometry with chip-based frequency combs (invited)", Chemical Physics Seminar, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA, May 17 (2023).
  9. L. A. Sterczewski, and M. Bagheri, "Breaking the Delay-Resolution Limit of Fourier Transform Spectrometers Using Chip-Scale Combs", Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2023), San Jose, CA, USA, May 7–12 (2023). ( pdf )
  10. L. A. Sterczewski, and J. Sotor, "Wavelength-Agile Dual-Comb Diagnostics of Pulsed Lasers", Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2023), San Jose, CA, USA, May 7–12 (2023). ( pdf )
  11. L. A. Sterczewski, "Two-photon imaging of soliton dynamics (invited)", Optics seminar, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland, April 12 (2023).
  12. L. A. Sterczewski, "Frequency comb spectroscopy – making it compact and power efficient (invited)", Seminar of the Institute of Solid State Electronics, TU Wien, Austria, December 16 (2022).
  13. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Modal leakage in interband cascade lasers diagnosed using far-field optical profilometry", 9th Workshop on Physics and Technology of Semiconductor Lasers, Krakow, Poland, October 2-6 (2022). ( pdf )
  14. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Korelacja wzajemna intensywności jako nowa metoda diagnostyki laserów impulsowych" (in Polish), XIII Sympozjum Techniki Laserowej STL 2022, Karpacz, Poland, September 19–23 (2022). ( pdf )
  15. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Szerokopasmowa spektroskopia strat we wnęce optycznej z efektem Verniera wykorzystująca międzypasmowe lasery kaskadowe" (in Polish), XIII Sympozjum Techniki Laserowej STL 2022, Karpacz, Poland, September 19–23 (2022). ( pdf )
  16. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Chip-Based Mid-Infrared Vernier Spectroscopy (invited)", 2022 Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress, Vancouver, Canada, July 11–14 (2022).
  17. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Frequency modulated comb generation in quantum well laser diodes", 5th International Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges in Mid-infrared Laser-Based Gas Sensing (Mir5ens), Wroclaw, Poland, July 4–6 (2022). ( pdf )
  18. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Chip-scale mid-infrared spectroscopy using electrically-pumped frequency comb sources (invited)", 11th Advanced Lasers and Photon Sources Conference (ALPS2022), Yokohama, Japan, April 18–21 (2022). ( pdf )
  19. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Dual-comb generation in a single laser cavity for sensing applications", Integrated Optics - Sensors, Sensing Structures and Methods (IOS'2022), Szczyrk, Poland, February 28 – March 4 (2022). ( pdf )
  20. L. A. Sterczewski, "Searching for life in space (invited popular science talk in Polish)", Gdynia Explory Week, Warsaw, Poland, October 20 (2021).
  21. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Lateral far-field characteristics of interband cascade laser frequency combs", 27th International Semiconductor Laser Conference (ISLC), Potsdam, Germany, October 10–14 (2021). ( pdf )
  22. L. A. Sterczewski, "Frequency comb spectroscopy – making it compact and power efficient (invited)", 2021 OSA Imaging & Sensing Congresses (online), July 19–23 (2021).
  23. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Mode-resolved Cavity-enhanced Vernier Spectroscopy Using an Interband Cascade Laser Frequency Comb", Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2021), San Jose, CA, USA, May 9–14 (2021). ( pdf )
  24. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Waveguiding and dispersion properties of interband cascade laser frequency combs", SPIE Photonics West (OPTO) 2021, San Francisco, CA (online), March 6–11 (2021). ( pdf ) ( video )
  25. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Chip-scale electrically-pumped optical frequency combs (invited)", Center for Quantum Research and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (online), February 23 (2021). ( pdf )
  26. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Chip-scale electrically-pumped optical frequency combs (invited)", Polish Astrobiology Society (online), November 5 (2020).
  27. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Dual-Comb Spectroscopy in the 2 µm Region Using Quantum Well Diode Lasers", 14th Pacific Rim Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO PR 2020), Sydney, Australia (online), August 3–5 (2020). ( pdf )
  28. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Quantum well laser diode frequency comb in the 2 μm region", Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2020), San Jose, CA, USA, May 11–15 (2020). ( pdf )
  29. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Interband cascade laser frequency combs for spectroscopic sensing", SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing Digital Forum, USA | 27 April – 1 May 2020. ( video )
  30. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Interband Cascade Laser Frequency Combs" (invited), 6th International WORKshop on Infrared Technologies, Princeton, NJ, USA, October 29–30 (2019). ( pdf )
  31. L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Injection locking of interband cascade laser frequency combs," Infrared Terahertz Quantum Workshop, Ojai, CA, USA, September 15–20 (2019). ( pdf )
  32. L. A. Sterczewski, A. Przewloka, W. Kaszub, and J. Sotor, "High-resolution dual-comb spectroscopy with a free-running all-fiber laser," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2019), San Jose, CA, USA, May 6–10 (2019). ( pdf )
  33. L. A. Sterczewski, J. Westberg et al., "Dual-comb spectroscopy with passively mode-locked interband cascade laser frequency combs," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2018), San Jose, CA, USA, May 13–18 (2018). ( pdf )
  34. J. Westberg, L. A. Sterczewski et al., "Terahertz dual-comb spectroscopy using quantum cascade laser frequency combs," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2018), San Jose, CA, USA, May 13–18 (2018). ( pdf )
  35. L. A. Sterczewski, J. Westberg et al., "Terahertz multiheterodyne spectroscopy with quantum cascade lasers – a feasibility study," 42nd International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), Cancun, Mexico, August 27 – September 1 (2017). ( pdf )
  36. L. A. Sterczewski, "Resolving terahertz spectral mixtures using the blind source separation approach – a method to study the dehydration kinetics," 2nd International Conference and Expo on Separation Techniques, Valencia, Spain, September 26-28 (2016). (invited talk) ( pdf )
  37. J. Westberg, L. A. Sterczewski, and G. Wysocki, "Mid-infrared quantum cascade laser-based multi heterodyne spectroscopy of small and large molecules in gas-phase," in FLAIR 2016 - Field Laser Applications in Industry and Research, 5th Edition of International Conference, Aix-les-Bains, France, September 12–16 (2016). ( pdf )
  38. L. A. Sterczewski, J. Westberg, and G. Wysocki, "Self-heterodyne Characterization of a Fabry-Pérot Quantum Cascade Laser for Multi-heterodyne Spectroscopic Sensing," Mid-Infrared Coherence Sources (OSA MICS), Long Beach, CA, USA, March 20–22 (2016). ( pdf )
  39. L. A. Sterczewski, and M.P. Grzelczak, "Terahertz lollipops," 10th Anniversary International SPIE Student Chapter Meeting - OPTO2015 Conference, Wroclaw, Poland, May 27–30 (2015). (3rd place in best speech contest)
  40. L. A. Sterczewski and M. P. Grzelczak, "Bayesian separation algorithm of THz spectral sources applied to D-glucose monohydrate dehydration kinetics," 8th THz Days, Arêches-Beaufort, France, March 31-April 2 (2015). ( pdf )
  41. L. A. Sterczewski, "Advanced SCADA system applied to terahertz time-domain spectrometer," in 12th Students’ Science Conference, Bogoszow-Gorce, Poland, September 18–21 (2014). (Distinction award) ( pdf )

 Awards

  • Bonus on the Horizon 2 - CEMoS-OFC – "Computationally enhanced molecular sensing using optical frequency combs (CEMoS-OFC)", Duration: 2 years, Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MEiN), Republic of Poland, within the Bonus on the Horizon 2 program (additional funds to extend the topical coverage of the EU Horizon research grant, 2021.
  • Winner of the Secundus programme competition, Category: Automation, Electronics, and Electrical Engineering, Wroclaw, Poland, 2023, and 2020. ( www - 2023 ). ( www - 2020 ). Awardee in 2021, and 2022.
  • "Best Student Paper" presented at SPIE Photonics West - Terahertz, RF, Millimeter, and Submillimeter-Wave Technology and Applications IX, San Francisco, USA, 2016. ( photo )
  • "Best MSc Presentation" in the nationwide Jan Wojcik contest for the best diploma thesis in the field of photonics, organized by the Polish Foundation of Photonics and Optic Fibers, Warsaw, Poland, 2015. ( www )
  • 3rd place winner in the best speech contest: "Terahertz lollipops", International SPIE Student Chapter Meeting 2015 conference, 10th Anniversary, Wroclaw, 2015.
  • Distinction in the nationwide Professor Adam Smolinski contest for the best diploma thesis in the field of optoelectronics, organized by the Polish Optoelectronics Committee of the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers SEP, 2014.
  • 4th place in the TOP10 contest for 10 best graduates of the Wroclaw University of Technology, Electronics Department, 2014.
  • Distinctive research presented during the 12th Students' Science Conference, Poland, 2014.

 Scholarships

  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, "Computationally enhanced molecular sensing using optical frequency combs (CEMoS-OFC)", Duration: 2 years, December 2021. Funded by the European Union (Horizon 2020). ( EC website )
  • Scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for outstanding young scientists, Duration: 3 years, December 2020.
  • Fellowship: NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, October 2018. Duration: 2 years.
  • Scholarship of the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) for young scientists within the START program, May 2018. ( awardees ) ( info ) ( info2 ) ( university )
  • Scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for PhD students with Outstanding Achievements, December 2017. ( awardees ) ( university ) ( ceremony )
  • Fellowship: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Graduate Fellowship Program for research on interband cascade laser frequency combs, Pasadena CA, USA, June-August 2017. ( photo )
  • The Kosciuszko Foundation Grant for the academic year 2017/18 for research in the United States on the use of dual-comb spectroscopy in pharmaceutical applications, May 2017.
  • Scholarship for best PhD students financed by the funds of Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, March and November 2016; November 2017.

 Projects

Please find the list of my academic and hobby projects below. (under construction)

Academic:

Pulsed THz spectroscopy

Pharmaceuticals

Quantum cascade laser based spectroscopy

High voltage discharge

Terahertz pulsed imaging

Chemometric analysis

Hobby:

Tesla coil shows

Control engineering

Power electronics

Electronic design

Homemade lasers

High voltage experiments

 Media outreach

Video interviews

  • "Urządzenia terahercowe w kieszeni? Prestiżowy grant na miniaturyzację technologii", Wroclaw University of Science & Technology, Youtube, Date: 2023-09-05. ( In Polish )
  • "Do czego przydają się miniaturowe lasery w kosmosie?", Wroclaw University of Science & Technology, Youtube, Date: 2021-05-26. ( In Polish )
  • "Polscy naukowcy pracujący w NASA. „Wiekszosc z nas nie zamienilaby tego na nic innego”", Dzien Dobry TVN, TVN (Discovery) Poland, Date: 2020-03-14. ( In Polish )
  • "Lukasz Sterczewski's early interest in building things led him to his current work", Optical Society of America, OSA Stories, Date: 2018-08-21. ( Part 1 ) ( Part 2 ) ( Part 3 )

Journal interviews

  • "TeraERC: o motywacji do przygotowania grantu, trudnych początkach oraz inspiracji w dążeniu do realizacji marzeń naukowych.", HPK, Serwis RP, Date: 2023-12-09. ( Interview [in Polish] )
  • "NPP Alumni of 3 months, 1 year and 4 years share newsworthy knowledge", NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Quarterly Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2, pp. 4, Date: 2021-07-01. ( Interview ) ( Full )
  • "It’s close to the stars from WUST", Wroclaw University of Science & Technology, University News, Date: 2020-01-13. ( English ) ( Polish )
  • "Wroclawski naukowiec w Ameryce", Gazeta Polska Codziennie (2525), Date: 2020-01-08. ( Polish )

Research highlights

  • "Prestiżowe granty dla polskich inżynierów. Dostaną 3 mln euro na supernowoczesne badania" [in Polish], National Geographic, Date: 2023-09. ( Nat. Geo. )
  • "Prestigious ERC grant for our scientist" [in EN & PL], WUST, Date: 2023-09. ( WUST EN ) ( WUST PL )
  • "Naukowcy z PWr opracowali nową metodologię diagnostyki laserów impulsowych" [in Polish], Forum Akademickie, Date: 2023-06. ( Forum Akademickie )
  • "Publikacja o solitonach w „Nature Communications”. Jej autorami są naukowcy z W12" [in Polish], WUST, Date: 2023-06. ( WUST/PWr )
  • "Optical frequency combs operating at 2 μm wavelength are used for dual-comb spectroscopy", AIP Scilight, Date: 2020-07. ( AIP Scilight )
  • "An interband cascade platform permits on-chip mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy", AIP Scilight, Date: 2020-04. ( AIP Scilight )
  • "Terahertz Imaging System on a Chip Offers Speed and Portability", Photonics Spectra, Date: 2019-10. ( PhotonicsMedia )
  • "Closing the terahertz gap: Tiny laser is an important step toward new sensors", ScienceDaily, Date: 2019-07-24. ( ScienceDaily )
  • "Miniature Laser Crucial for Development of New Medical Sensors", AZoOptics, Date: 2019-07-25. ( AZoOptics )
  • "Innovative tiny laser has potential uses in drug quality control, medical diagnosis, airplane safety", Princeton University, Date: 2019-07-24 . ( Princeton Website )

Miscellaneous

  • Our Laser & Photonics Reviews paper is featured on the cover of the January 2023 issue ( Journal cover ). I designed the cover and rendered it in Blender.
  • Our ACS Photonics paper is featured on the cover of the March 2022 issue ( Journal cover ). I designed the cover and rendered it in Blender.
  • Our Laser & Photonics Reviews paper is featured on the cover of the August 2021 issue ( Journal cover ). I envisioned the cover design.
  • The university features my research on their Instagram: ( Instagram )
  • Our THz hyperspectral imaging paper ( pdf ) is one of the top-downloaded articles from Optica ( Top-downloaded paper )
  • The CLEO conference has been using a photo from my 2018 talk "Terahertz dual-comb spectroscopy using quantum cascade laser frequency combs" on the abstract submission page since 11/2018. ( www ) ( photo )
  • The July 2020 issue cover of APL Photonics features our research on 2 μm combs: ( Journal cover )

 About Me

Passion for electricity has been always present in my life, starting as a preschooler I was already experimenting with toy electric motors. My teenage time was dominated by the construction of high voltage Tesla coils, which finally led me to build a home-made nitrogen laser and the beginning of my adventure in optics. The latter I consider a turning point in my life, from electronics to optics.

When I was finishing my bachelor’s degree, I had experienced a dozen years of home laboratory adventures and my professional area of interests focused predominantly on electrical engineering. Home-made research involved interdisciplinary knowledge: chemistry to deal with photolithography, micro- and industrial electronics to build high voltage equipment, and mechanical engineering to make it reliable. I liked to share my passion for experiments, therefore I organized many scientific presentations. I enabled a group of 800 children to eyewitness 12-foot sparks from my musical Tesla coils in the cinema, in addition to giving multiple shows at schools. I learned how to manage my time, take risks, and ensure safety in extremely dangerous environments, all shown to be of utmost importance in professional research.

Pure electrical engineering was not enough. At that time, I discovered the tandem between electronics and photonics, and so my drift towards optics began. During my master studies I constructed a high voltage nitrogen laser for a university laboratory and demonstrated it at one of the lectures. I finished my degree as number 4 in the “TOP 10” of the department. I realized that my technical skills coupled with my passion for challenges are directly applicable to the laboratory conditions. The potential of the “forgotten gap” – the terahertz part of the electromagnetic spectrum – led me to an optoelectronic laboratory, where I found the application perfect for my interdisciplinary background: terahertz spectroscopy.

Soon after I joined this research group, I was allowed to run experiments by my own. Immediately, I applied a solution known from my Tesla coil electronics to bias a terahertz antenna, which resulted in a journal publication in the Review of Scientific Instruments. The challenging nature of scientific experiments pushed me to go further. My research group works on terahertz spectra of pharmaceuticals, therefore I developed the necessary instrumentation and numerical processing tools to study their thermal stability and similarity. One of my conference abstracts, being a summary of almost two years of work on terahertz chemometrics, was announced to be the Best Student Paper Winner at the leading optical conference – SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, USA in the terahertz category. I described my discovery of an interesting relation between the terahertz vibrations and physical parameters of drugs that may facilitate their design and select candidates for clinical trials in a more effective way.

In 2015 I was invited to join the spectroscopic group at Princeton University as a visiting graduate student, where I did my PhD research. Daily cooperation with highly motivated members of our research team has prompted me to ask myself fundamental questions about the sources of my motivation and desired goals. Curiosity how things work, coupled with a will to make them better, led me to an idea of application of my spectroscopic experience to support the development of early-stage drugs. I believe that it helps me to explore new research territories and improve the quality of people's life around the globe by minimizing the side effects caused by medicines.

In the summer of 2017 I had an unprecedented opportunity to pursue an internship at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where I worked on the development of interband cascade optical frequency combs. These novel sources of laser radiation are likely to be employed in future space missions for the detection of trace amounts of methane on Mars. I continued that adventure as a postdoctoral research scholar until 2021. Recently, I started a new chapter in my research career at my Alma Mater in Poland.

 Contact

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