Investigation of Limits on Peak Powers and Conversion Efficiencies for Quasi-Single-Cycle THz Pulses Based on Phase-Matched Difference-Frequency Generation: Review

摘要

We have reviewed our most recent results. Let us consider a second-order nonlinear medium in which perfect phase-matching can be achieved at one particular output wavelength for the process of the THz generation from a train of ultrafast laser pulses based on difference-frequency generation. We assume that the coherence lengths for the THz generation are sufficiently long within a wide bandwidth around this perfect phase-matching wavelength due to a slight dispersion in the THz region (i.e. broadband phase-matching). In this theoretical work, we show that quasi-single-cycle THz pulses can be efficiently generated. An efficient conversion for the THz generation is made possible not only by utilizing the broadband phase-matching but also by optimizing the pulse width for each peak THz frequency. We have investigated the regime of the strong pump depletion and found the limits to the conversion efficiencies. We have ruled out the significant contributions due to the effects of multiphoton absorption, free-carrier absorption, and nonlinear refractive indices.