Generation of high power single-cycle and multiple-cycle terahertz pulses

Abstract

In this thesis, we present experimental methods and results of tabletop generation of high power single-cycle and frequency-tunable multiple-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses pumped with near-infrared ultrashort optical pulses at 1 kHz and 10 Hz repetition rates. Single-cycle THz pulses with sub-picosecond duration and more than 50 pJ pulse energy, and multiple-cycle THz pulses with picosecond duration and more than 10 pJ pulse energy, are achieved respectively. These THz outputs are very close approximations to Gaussian beams, and can be well collimated and focused into samples for time-resolved spectroscopic experiments. This may allow for explorations in coherent nonlinear spectroscopy in the THz region such as the photon echo and multidimensional spectroscopy, revealing novel phenomena in solids, liquids, gases, and complex materials.