THz generation using a reflective stair-step echelon
Author(s)
Ofori-Okai, Benjamin Kwasi; Sivarajah, Prasahnt; Huang, Wenqian; Nelson, Keith Adam
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We present a novel method for THz generation in lithium niobate using a reflective stair-step echelon structure. The echelon produces a discretely tilted pulse front with less angular dispersion compared to a high groove-density grating. The THz output was characterized using both a 1-lens and 3-lens imaging system to set the tilt angle at room and cryogenic temperatures. Using broadband 800 nm pulses with a pulse energy of 0.95 mJ and a pulse duration of 70 fs (24 nm FWHM bandwidth, 39 fs transform limited width), we produced THz pulses with field strengths as high as 500 kV/cm and pulse energies as high as 3.1 μJ. The highest conversion efficiency we obtained was 0.33%. In addition, we find that the echelon is easily implemented into an experimental setup for quick alignment and optimization.
Date issued
2016-02Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemistry; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Research Laboratory of ElectronicsJournal
Optics Express
Publisher
Optical Society of America
Citation
Ofori-Okai, Benjamin K., Prasahnt Sivarajah, W. Ronny Huang, and Keith A. Nelson. “THz Generation Using a Reflective Stair-Step Echelon.” Optics Express 24, no. 5 (February 29, 2016): 5057.
Version: Original manuscript
ISSN
1094-4087