Directional elliptically polarized terahertz emission from air plasma produced by circularly polarized intense femtosecond laser pulses

Journal Article · Mon Oct 17 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3651764· OSTI ID:22027780

Jahangiri, Fazel; Hashida, Masaki; Tokita, Shigeki; Sakabe, Shuji ^[1]; Nagashima, Takeshi; Hangyo, Masanori ^[2]

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1. Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, ICR, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan and Department of Physics, GSS, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-7501 (Japan)
2. Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 (Japan)

We have observed directional elliptically polarized terahertz (THz) waves emitted from air plasma produced by circularly polarized femtosecond laser pulses. The spatial distribution of the THz waves shows that the radiation is strongly directed forward with a peak around the laser propagation direction. Measured THz power shows a square dependence on laser energy. We consider the parametric decay of laser light to R-waves in plasma in the presence of a spontaneous magnetic field as a possible explanation for the polarization, power dependence, and direction of the THz beam.

• OSTI ID: 22027780
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 99; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AIR
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
ENERGY DEPENDENCE
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PHOTON BEAMS
PHOTON EMISSION
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
POLARIZATION
PULSES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
THZ RANGE