Frequency modulation of THz emission from a laser filament array

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how arranging laser filaments in arrays can modulate and tailor the frequency content of emitted THz radiation, revealing interference effects and spectral control possibilities.

Contribution

It introduces a simple traveling wave antenna model to analyze THz emission from filament arrays, highlighting how array configuration influences spectral features.

Findings

Array configuration significantly alters THz angular distribution and power.

Periodic filament arrays produce discrete spectral lines due to interference.

The spectral content can be tailored by adjusting filament spacing and number.

Abstract

A simple traveling wave antenna model is used to theoretically study emission from an array of filaments. Both transverse and longitudinal arrays of filaments are considered. The angular distribution and power in the THz signal are significantly modified, which is consistent with other trends reported in the literature. The frequency content of the THz emission signal is also strongly modified under certain conditions. Whereas the emission from a single filament is broadband, the emission from a periodic transverse array consists of several discrete frequencies. For this latter case, the THz spectrum can be approximated as the product of two factors - the spectrum from a single filament and a complex frequency-dependent phase factor associated with the spatial distribution of the filaments. The complex phase factor accounts for interference effects, amplifying certain frequencies from the single filament spectrum while suppressing others. The location and width of the discrete frequencies present in the final spectrum depends on the number of filaments and their spacing. These results point to an interesting possibility of tailoring the frequency content in the THz signal.