2007/02/01 by Wu, Hui-Chun, Sheng, Zheng-Ming, Zhang, Jie
#FOS: Physical sciences #Optics (physics.optics) #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0702007
The tremendous applications of terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging require THz sources in different parameters. We propose a novel scheme to generate single-cycle powerful THz pulses by ultrashort intense laser pulses incident obliquely on a tenuous plasma slab of few THz wavelengths in thickness. This is made possible by driving a large amplitude electron plasma wave in the plasma slab, thus producing a net transient current at the plasma surfaces. Theory and simulations show that such a THz source is capable of providing megawatt power and field strength of MV/cm, which may open up new horizons for nonlinear THz science and applications.