Welcome!

Research

I am currently working as a PhD student in the Quantum Optoelectronics Group at ETH Zurich.
My current research focuses on understanding frequency comb formation and shaping in Quantum Cascade Lasers with (mostly) ring-like cavity geometry. Currently, my main focus is developing schemes allowing externally controllable signals to manipulate the spectral features of QCL frequency combs, particularly with the aim of spectral envelope tunability and bandwidth optimization.

Publications

  • 2026 - Metasurface-enhanced mid-infrared imaging spectroscopy with broadband quantum cascade lasers. DOI.
  • 2026 - Noise-driven localization of collective light in an active synthetic lattice. DOI.
  • 2026 - Spectral shaping of fast-gain frequency combs through phases in synthetic dimensions. DOI.
  • 2024 - Fast Fourier transform spectroscopy with broadband strongly modulated quantum cascade lasers. DOI.
  • 2024 - Quantum cascade lasers as broadband sources via strong RF modulation. DOI.
  • 2023 - The infinity-loop microresonator: A new integrated photonic structure working on an exceptional surface. DOI.

IT

From the summer of 2025, I have taken on the duty of managing the IT infrastructure of the Quantum Optoelectronics Group at ETH Zurich.

Teaching

FS 2025 - I have taken on exam correction duty for for the course Physics II offered to second year students of the Electrical Engineering bachelor at ETH Zurich.
HS 2024 - I have been vice-head TA for the course Physics II offered to second year students of the Electrical Engineering bachelor at ETH Zurich, designing exercise sheets and exams. The course covers topics in basic quantum mechanics.
FS 2024 - Physikpraktikum P2. Supervised experiments on the measurement of Steiner's law and the moment of a gyroscope
HS 2023 - Physics for Civil and Environmental Engineering (D-BAUG). Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jerome Faist. Supervised exercise lectures on the contents of the course, covering classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, magnetism, special relativity and an introduction to quantum and atomic physics.
FS 2023 - Physikpraktikum P2. Supervised experiments on the measurement of the refractive index of air (14) and refractive index of a prism (13)

Contact

You can reach me at dpiciocchi@phys.ethz.ch.