Wavelength scaling of terahertz generation by gas ionization

Matteo Clerici, Marco Peccianti, Bruno E. Schmidt, Lucia Caspani, Mostafa Shalaby, Mathieu Giguère, Antonio Lotti, Arnaud Couairon, François Légaré, Tsuneyuki Ozaki, Daniele Faccio, Roberto Morandotti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

309 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Low-frequency currents induced by ultrashort laser-driven ionization can emit extremely broadband, single-cycle terahertz pulses. We present a model that predicts a strong wavelength dependence of the THz emission in good agreement with our experimental study. This reveals that the combined effects of plasma currents rising proportionally to the square of the pump wavelength and wavelength-dependent focusing conditions lead to 30 times higher THz emission at 1800 nm compared to an 800 nm wavelength. Unrivaled single-cycle electric field strengths of 4.4 MV/cm are achieved with this compact table-top setup.

Original languageEnglish
Article number253901
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume110
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2013

Keywords

  • electric field strength
  • experimental studies
  • focusing conditions
  • low-frequency currents
  • pump wavelength
  • single-cycle terahertz pulse
  • teraherts generation
  • wavelength dependence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Wavelength scaling of terahertz generation by gas ionization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this