Analysis of terahertz generation using tilted-pulse-fronts

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive 2-D analysis of terahertz generation via optical rectification with tilted-pulse-fronts, accounting for various spatio-temporal distortions and revealing their impact on efficiency and spectral properties.

Contribution

It provides closed-form expressions for terahertz transients and spectra incorporating realistic optical pulse distortions, advancing understanding of factors affecting terahertz generation efficiency.

Findings

Radius of curvature influences tilt-angle and efficiency.

Group-velocity dispersion reduces terahertz frequency and field.

Large pump bandwidths and beam sizes deteriorate terahertz output.

Abstract

A 2-D spatio-temporal analysis of terahertz generation by optical rectification of tilted-pulse-fronts is presented. Closed form expressions of terahertz transients and spectra in two spatial dimensions are furnished in the undepleted limit. Importantly, the analysis incorporates spatio-temporal distortions of the optical pump pulse such as angular dispersion, group-velocity dispersion due to angular dispersion, spatial and temporal chirp as well as beam curvature. The importance of the radius of curvature to the tilt-angle and group-velocity dispersion due to angular dispersion to terahertz frequency, conversion efficiency and peak field is revealed.In particular, the deterioration of terahertz frequency, efficiency and field at large pump bandwidths and beam sizes is analytically shown.