Ionizing terahertz waves with 260 MV/cm from scalable optical rectification
Abstrak
Terahertz (THz) waves, known as non-ionizing radiation owing to their low photon energies, can actually ionize atoms and molecules when a sufficiently large number of THz photons are concentrated in time and space. Here, we demonstrate the generation of ionizing, multicycle, 15-THz waves emitted from large-area lithium niobate crystals via phase-matched optical rectification of 150-terawatt laser pulses. A complete characterization of the generated THz waves in energy, pulse duration, and focal spot size shows that the field strength can reach up to 260 megavolts per centimeter. In particular, a single-shot THz interferometer is employed to measure the THz pulse duration and spectrum with complementary numerical simulations. Such intense THz pulses are irradiated onto various solid targets to demonstrate THz-induced tunneling ionization and plasma formation. This study also discusses the potential of nonperturbative THz-driven ionization in gases, which will open up new opportunities, including nonlinear and relativistic THz physics in plasma. Intense terahertz pulses, produced from a large-area lithium niobate wafer via phase-matched optical rectification of 150-terawatt laser pulses, ionize atoms and molecules and turn them into plasma.
Topik & Kata Kunci
Penulis (9)
Hyeongmun Kim
Chul Kang
D. Jang
Yulan Roh
Sang Hwa Lee
Joong Wook Lee
J. Sung
Seong Ku Lee
Ki-Yong Kim
Akses Cepat
- Tahun Terbit
- 2024
- Bahasa
- en
- Total Sitasi
- 10×
- Sumber Database
- Semantic Scholar
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41377-024-01462-w
- Akses
- Open Access ✓