2014/07/07 by Mostafa Shalaby, Shalaby, Mostafa, C. P. Hauri +2
Chemistry · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Optics (physics.optics) #Photonic and Optical Devices #Spectroscopy and Laser Applications #Terahertz technology and applications #physics.optics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1407.1656
arxiv created 2014/07/07 · openalex publication_date 2014/07/07 · arxiv updated 2014/07/08 · openalex created_date 2022/10/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The brightness of a light source defines its applicability to nonlinear phenomena in science. Bright low frequency terahertz (< 5THz) radiation confined to a diffraction-limited spot size is a present hurdle due to the broad bandwidth and long wavelengths associated with single-cycle terahertz pulses as well as due to the lack of terahertz wavefront correctors. Here, using a present-technology system, we employ a new concept of terahertz wavefront manipulation and focusing optimization. We demonstrate a spatio-temporal confinement of terahertz energy at its physical limits to the least possible 3-dimensional light bullet volume of lambda cubic. This leads to a new regime of extremely bright terahertz radiation reaching 40 PW/m2 intensity. The presented work is focused on the sub-5 THz range using small aperture organic crystals DSTMS and OH1. The obtained peak field of up to 5 GV/m and 17 Tesla is order of magnitude higher than any reported single-cycle field oscillation in the entire THz range from a laser-based system and surpassing large scale accelerator systems. The presented results are foreseen to have a great impact on future nonlinear terahertz applications in different science disciplines.