ABSTRACT
Compact electron sources have been instrumental in multidiscipline sciences including fundamental physics, oncology treatments, and advanced industries. Of particular interest is the terahertz-driven electron manipulation that holds great promise for an efficient high gradient of multi-GeV/m inside a regular dielectric-lined waveguide (DLW). The recent study relying on terahertz surface waves has demonstrated both high terahertz energy and improved coupling efficiency with the DLW. However, the large energy spread pertaining to the laser-induced electron pulse impedes the practical use of the system. Here, we propose a scheme for extending the idea of surface-wave-driven electron manipulation to mature electron sources such as commercial direct-current and radio-frequency electron guns. By using a simple hollow cylinder tube for electron transmission, we show that the electron energy modulation can reach up to 860 keV, or compress the electron pulse width to 15 fs using a 2.9 mJ single-cycle terahertz pulse. The trafficability of the hollow tube also allows for a cascade of the system, which is expected to pave the way for compact and highly efficient THz-driven electron sources.
ABSTRACT
Matter manipulation in terahertz range calls for a strong-field broadband light source. Here, we present a scheme for intense terahertz generation from DSTMS crystal driven by a high power optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier. The generated terahertz energy is up to 175 µJ with a peak electric field of 17â MV/cm. The relationship between terahertz energy, conversion efficiency, and pump fluence is demonstrated. This study provides a powerful driving light source for strong-field terahertz pump-probe experimentation.
ABSTRACT
Extremely strong-field terahertz (THz) radiation in free space has compelling applications in nonequilibrium condensed matter state regulation, all-optical THz electron acceleration and manipulation, THz biological effects, etc. However, these practical applications are constrained by the absence of high-intensity, high-efficiency, high-beam-quality, and stable solid-state THz light sources. Here, the generation of single-cycle 13.9-mJ extreme THz pulses from cryogenically cooled lithium niobate crystals and a 1.2% energy conversion efficiency from 800 nm to THz are demonstrated experimentally using the tilted pulse-front technique driven by a home-built 30-fs, 1.2-Joule Ti:sapphire laser amplifier. The focused peak electric field strength is estimated to be 7.5 MV cm-1 . A record of 1.1-mJ THz single-pulse energy at a 450 mJ pump at room temperature is produced and observed that the self-phase modulation of the optical pump can induce THz saturation behavior from the crystals in the substantially nonlinear pump regime. This study lays the foundation for the generation of sub-Joule THz radiation from lithium niobate crystals and will inspire more innovations in extreme THz science and applications.
ABSTRACT
When a biased electric/light field is applied to centrosymmetric crystals like silicon, the broken symmetry creates even-order harmonics radiation which can reveal key insights into the material. Recently, the second harmonic has been generated by THz-induced symmetry breaking, but the observation of higher-order radiation remains largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate picosecond-level ultrafast, nondestructive symmetry manipulation of silicon crystal by using a 500 kV/cm intense terahertz (THz) electric field. The THz-induced fourth harmonic of the infrared probe is also observed and characterized for the first time. In addition, we find that the even-order harmonics show no dependence on the THz field direction thus it allows for sub-cycle symmetry manipulations. Our study paves the way toward ultrafast all-optical crystal symmetry control in the future high-speed electronics and photonics.
