Hydrodynamic PIC analysis of THz generation by two color laser in various plasma gases

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamic PIC simulations to analyze how two-color femtosecond laser pulses generate THz radiation in various plasma gases, highlighting the role of field asymmetry and plasma parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a cylindrical coordinate hydrodynamic PIC model to explore the influence of gas composition and laser parameters on THz emission, which is a novel approach.

Findings

Asymmetry from superimposed fields drives THz emission.

Gas composition and ionization affect THz spectral features.

Intensity ratio influences THz generation efficiency.

Abstract

In the present study, a theoretical and PIC numerical investigation of THz emission driven by two color femtosecond laser fields in gaseous plasmas is conducted. The model is formulated in cylindrical coordinates to capture the inherent radial symmetry of laser plasma interactions. Starting from a hydrodynamic description of plasma electrons coupled with Maxwells equations, the nonlinear photocurrent dynamics that underpin the emission process is derived. The results reveal that the asymmetry induced by the superposition of the fundamental and second-harmonic fields plays a central role in breaking inversion symmetry, thereby generating a net directional current that radiates in the THz regime. Systematic analysis demonstrates that gas composition, ionization fraction, and the intensity ratio of the two fields strongly influence both the spectral characteristics and efficiency of THz radiation.