Detection of Broadband Terahertz Waves with a Laser-Induced Plasma in Gases

Journal Article · Fri Sep 08 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.97.103903· OSTI ID:20860789

Jianming, Dai; Xu, Xie; Zhang, X -C ^[1]

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1. Center for Terahertz Research, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180 (United States)

We report the experimental results and theoretical analysis of broadband detection of terahertz (THz) waves via electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation in laser-induced air plasma with ultrashort laser pulses. By introducing the second-harmonic component of the white light in the laser-induced plasma as a local oscillator, coherent detection of broadband THz waves with ambient air is demonstrated for the first time. Our results show that, depending on the probe intensity, detection of THz waves in air can be categorized as incoherent, hybrid, and coherent detection. Coherent detection is achieved only when the tunnel ionization process dominates in gases.

• OSTI ID: 20860789
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 97, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.103903; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIR
ELECTRIC FIELDS
HARMONIC GENERATION
IONIZATION
LASERS
OSCILLATORS
PLASMA
PULSES
THZ RANGE
VISIBLE RADIATION