Efficient narrowband teraherz radiation from electrostatic wakefields in non-uniform plasmas

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that electrostatic plasma wakefields in non-uniform plasmas can efficiently generate narrowband terahertz radiation at harmonics of the plasma frequency, with tunable emission properties based on plasma density gradients.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for THz radiation generation using plasma wakefields in non-uniform plasmas, highlighting the role of density gradients in coupling wakefields to electromagnetic radiation.

Findings

Efficient THz radiation at plasma frequency harmonics achieved.

Radiation efficiency depends on plasma density gradient scale length.

Potential for tunable, narrowband THz source with high energy conversion.

Abstract

Abstract It is shown that electrostatic plasma wakefields can efficiently radiate at harmonics of the plasma frequency when the plasma has a positive density gradient along the propagation direction of a driver. The driver propagating at a sub-luminal group velocity excites the plasma wakefield with the same phase velocity. However, due to the positive density gradient, the wake phase velocity steadily increases behind the driver. As soon as the phase velocity becomes super-luminal, the electrostatic wakefield couples efficiently to radiative electromagnetic modes. The period of time when the phase velocity stays above the speed of light depends on the density gradient scale length. The wake radiates at harmonics of the plasma frequency in the teraherz (THz) band. The angle of emission depends on the gradient scale and the time passed behind the driver. For appropriate plasma and driver parameters, the wake can radiate away nearly all its energy, which potentially results in an efficient, narrow band and tunable source of THz radiation.