High-field half-cycle terahertz radiation from relativistic laser interaction with thin solid targets

Journal Article · Mon Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2013 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4831684· OSTI ID:22254064

Ding, W. J.; Koh, W. S. ^[1]; Sheng, Z. M. ^[2]

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1. A-STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore 138632 (Singapore)
2. Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China)

It is found that half-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses with the peak field over 100 MV/cm can be produced in ultrashort intense laser interactions with thin solid targets. These THz pulses are shown to emit from both the front and rear sides of the solid target and are attributed to the coherent transition radiation by laser-produced ultrashort fast electron bunches. After the primary THz pulses, subsequent secondary half-cycle pulses are generated while some refluxing electrons cross the vacuum-target interfaces. Since such strong THz radiation is well synchronized with the driving lasers, it is particularly suitable for applications in various pump-probe experiments.

• OSTI ID: 22254064
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 103, Issue 20; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRONS
LASERS
PULSES
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SOLIDS
TRANSITION RADIATION