Perfectly phase-matched third-order distributed feedback terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

We report a novel laser cavity design in third-order distributed feedback (DFB) terahertz quantum-cascade lasers based on a perfectly phase-matching technique. This approach substantially increases the usable length of the third-order DFB laser and leads to narrow beam patterns. Single frequency emissions from 151 apertures (5.6 mm long device) are coherently added up to form a narrow beam with (FWHM≈6×11°) divergence. A similar device with 40 apertures shows more than 5 mW of optical power with slope efficiency ～140 mW/A at 10 K pulsed operation.     

Observation of phase-matched relativistic harmonic generation

Phase-matched relativistic harmonic generation in plasmas is observed for the first time. Third-harmonic light is detected and discriminated spectrally and angularly from the harmonics generated from competing processes. Its angular pattern is a narrow forward-directed cone, which is consistent with phase matching of a high-order transverse mode in a plasma. The signal level is found to be on the same order of magnitude for a circularly polarized pump pulse as for a linearly polarized pump pulse.     

Design and analysis of a metallic waveguide with a DAST cap for continuously phase-matched terahertz difference frequency generation

We present a novel source for continuous terahertz (THz) wave generation using an organic ionic salt, 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate (DAST). THz waves are generated based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in the device. Phase matching condition and THz generation between 1.3 THz and 2.7 THz, for optical pump around 1.6 μm, are investigated. Our calculations predict that the device produces a relatively high THz output power of 11.07 μW from a 4 cm long waveguide at 2 THz.     

Noncritically phase-matched second-harmonic generation in cesium lithium borate

Efficient generation of 236-nm light was demonstrated by use of noncritically phase-matched second-harmonic generation in cesium lithium borate. Noncritical phase matching provided approximately 20x the nonlinear drive for second-harmonic generation than beta-barium borate for 236-nm generation. The 236-nm wavelength is the fourth harmonic of a 946-nm Nd:YAG laser. Phase matching was accomplished at a crystal temperature of -15 degrees C.     

Contactless photoconductive terahertz generation

We describe a pulsed terahertz (THz) emitter that uses a rapidly oscillating, high-voltage bias across electrodes insulated from a photoconductor. Because no carriers are injected from the electrodes, trap-enhanced electric fields do not form. The resulting uniform field allows excitation with a large laser spot, lowering the carrier density for a given pulse energy and increasing the efficiency of THz generation. Compared to a dc bias, less susceptibility to damage is observed.     

Observation of phase-matched optical second-harmonic generation in organic monolayers

Guided-wave second-harmonic generation using a passive planar waveguide covered with an organic nonlinear optical film as thin as a single molecular layer is demonstrated. The phase-matching condition of this process is revealed both with a high degree of waveguide-mode selectivity and a maximum in the frequency response.     

Theory of non phase-matched second harmonic generation of surface plasmons

Non phase-matched harmonic generation of surface plasmons has been analysed using total field solutions which satisfy the nonlinear current driven Maxwell's Equations and electromagnetic boundary conditions. The results are compared with a recent calculation by Mills.     

Theoretical analysis of noncollinear phase-matched optical parametric generation in BBO crystal

In this article we propose a theoretical treatment of noncollinear phase-matched femtosecond parametric interaction process pumped by ultrashort optical pulses, and investigated the pulse characteristics of OPG in BBO crystal. The results show that the major factors, which affect the optical parametric conversion coefficient and durations of the pulses, are the group velocity mismatch and the phase mismatch among the three ultra-short pulses. In addition, the material dispersion can cause the durations of the pulses to increase when pump pulse is below 20 fs, and its influence becomes more obvious at low pump intensity.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of third-harmonic generation in phase-matched dye solutions

The phase-matched third-harmonic light generation in dye solutions is studied experimentally and theoretically. In the experiments picosecond light pulses of a passive mode-locked Nd-glass laser are converted to the third-harmonic frequency. A third-harmonic conversion efficiency of up to 4×10^–4 was achieved for one of the dyes investigated (1,3,3,1,3,3-hexamethylindocarbocyanine iodide in hexafluoroisopropanol). The theoretical calculations determine the influence of various dye and solvent parameters on the conversion efficiency. The conversion efficiency is found to be limited by excited-state absorption of pump laser light and third-harmonic light from the S₁-state to higher singlet states. The S₁-state is mainly populated by two-photon absorption. Amplified spontaneous emission may reduce the limiting effects of excited-state absorption. Phase changes caused by the non-linear refractive index and the refractive index dispersion within the spectral bandwidth of the laser pulses reduce the conversion efficiency. Under ideal conditions conversion efficiencies up to 10% may be achieved.     

High-resolution, background-free, time-to-space conversion by collinearly phase-matched sum-frequency generation

We report the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of time-to-space conversion of 1.55 μm femtosecond optical pulses using nondegenerate, collinearly phase-matched sum-frequency generation. A quasi-monochromatic and background-free output signal spanning a time window of 35 ps and with a pulse image width of 350 fs was achieved. The resulting serial-to-parallel resolution factor of 100 demonstrates the potential for all-optical complete frame demultiplexing of a 1 Tbit/s optical time-division multiplexing bit stream.     

Dynamically adjustable asymmetric transmission and polarization conversion for linearly polarized terahertz wave

The asymmetric transmission(AT) and polarization conversion of terahertz(THz) wave play a vital role in future THz communication,spectrum,and information processing.Generally,it is very difficult and complicated to actively control the AT of electromagnetic(EM) wave by using traditional devices.Here,we theoretically demonstrate a stereo-metamaterial(stereo-MM) consisting of a layer of metal structure and a layer of phase transition structure with a polyimide spacer in between.The performance of the device is simulated by using the finite-integration-technology(FIT).The results show that the AT and polarization conversion of linearly polarized wave can be dynamically controlled in a range of 1.0 THz-1.6 THz when the conductivity c,F of vanadium dioxide(VO2) is changed under the external stimulation.This study provides an example of actively controlling of the AT and polarization conversion of the EM wave.     

Resonant terahertz generation from InN thin films

Highly efficient conversion from ultrafast optical pulses to their terahertz (THz) counterparts has been achieved with InN thin films. An average THz output power as high as 0.931 microW has been obtained for an average pump power of 1 W, corresponding to a normalized conversion efficiency of 190% mm(-2). Based on our measured dependences of the THz output power on pump polarization, incident angle, pump power, and InN film thickness, resonance-enhanced optical rectification is one of the most plausible mechanisms for the THz generation in the InN films.     

Simultaneously phase-matched parametric processes in a single-pass interaction for efficient visible generation

We demonstrate simultaneously phase-matched cascaded optical parametric amplification (OPA) and sum-frequency generation (SFG) processes in a single-pass interaction in a BBO crystal, where the seed pulse is produced through the self-induced superfluorescence generation. Tunable femtosecond pulses in the blue-green spectral range are produced through the single-pass SFG interaction with a maximum conversion efficiency of about 12%.     

Plasma mechanisms of pulsed terahertz radiation generation

We present the results on generating terahertz radiation in the plasma of an optical discharge arising in the atmosphere during the focusing of femtosecond laser radiation. Different generation schemes related to focusing of the optical radiation by spherical and axicon lenses, with a constant electric field imposed on the laser spark region, as well as with the use of bichromatic laser radiation, are studied. Directivity patterns and polarization distributions of the terahertz radiation are analyzed in detail for different generation techniques. Comparison with the experimental results obtained by other research groups is given. Possible nonlinear mechanisms of the terahertz radiation generation are discussed.     

Quantum dot materials for terahertz generation applications

Compact and tunable semiconductor terahertz sources providing direct electrical control, efficient operation at room temperatures and device integration opportunities are of great interest at the present time. One of the most well‐established techniques for terahertz generation utilises photoconductive antennas driven by ultrafast pulsed or dual‐wavelength continuous wave laser systems, though some limitations, such as confined optical wavelength pumping range and thermal breakdown, still exist. The use of quantum dot‐based semiconductor materials, having unique carrier dynamics and material properties, can help to overcome limitations and enable efficient optical‐to‐terahertz signal conversion at room temperatures. Here we discuss the construction of novel and versatile terahertz transceiver systems based on quantum dot semiconductor devices. Configurable, energy‐dependent optical and electronic characteristics of quantum‐dot‐based semiconductors are described, and the resonant response to optical pump wavelength is revealed. Terahertz signal generation and detection at energies that resonantly excite only the implanted quantum dots opens the potential for using compact quantum dot‐based semiconductor lasers as pump sources. Proof‐of‐concept experiments are demonstrated here that show quantum dot‐based samples to have higher optical pump damage thresholds and reduced carrier lifetime with increasing pump power.

     

Ultrabroadband phase-matched optical parametric generation in the ultraviolet by use of guided waves

We present what is believed to be the first experimental demonstration of guided-wave phase-matched frequency mixing and harmonic conversion in gases. Broad-bandwidth ultrafast pulses, tunable around 270 nm, were generated from an ultrafast Ti:sapphire amplifier system using 2? + 2? - ? parametric wave mixing in a capillary waveguide. We achieved nonresonant phase matching by coupling both the fundamental and the second-harmonic light into the lowest-order mode. The output 3? pulses have an energy of >4muJ at a 1-kHz repetition rate. Simple extensions of this method can generate higher-energy 10-20-fs pulses tunable throughout the vacuum ultraviolet.     

Efficient phase-matched third harmonic light generation in hexafluoroisopropanol solutions of a pyrimidonecarbocyanine dye

The phase-matched collinear third harmonic generation of picosecond laser pulses in a 0.0825 molar hexafluoroisopropanol solution of a pyrimidonecarbocyanine dye is studied. The fundamental pulses are generated in a passively mode-locked Nd-phosphate glass laser. The saturation of third harmonic generation at high intensities is investigated. The influences of two-photon absorption, excited-state absorption, and amplified spontaneous emission are discussed. For input peak intensities above 10¹¹ W/cm² a third harmonic energy conversion of about 2×10^–4 is achieved.     

Broadband generation of terahertz radiation in a waveguide

We report a novel geometry that allows for the phase-matched generation of broadband terahertz radiation in a polymer-based parallel-plate metal waveguide by means of optical rectification. Both the optical pump beam and the generated terahertz radiation propagate in the fundamental mode of the waveguide. This allows for noncritical phase matching over a broad range of terahertz frequencies. We demonstrate guided-wave interaction lengths of up to 3 mm.     

Dispersion compensation for terahertz optical frequency comb generation

We demonstrate dispersion compensation in a terahertz-span optical frequency comb generator by use of an intracavity prism pair. With partial compensation of the material dispersion of the lithium niobate modulator, the span of the comb increases from 3.0 to 4.3THz.