Journal of the Optical Society of Korea

Optical Society of Korea (한국광학회)
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Diffraction-Limited High-Power Single-Cycle Terahertz Pulse Generation in Prism-Cut LiNbO3 for Precise Terahertz Applications

  • Baek, In Hyung (Department of Physics and Division of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University) ;
  • Kang, Bong Joo (Department of Physics and Division of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University) ;
  • Jeong, Young Uk (Center for Quantum-Beam based Radiation Research, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ;
  • Rotermund, Fabian (Department of Physics and Division of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University)
  • Received : 2013.10.10
  • Accepted : 2014.01.20
  • Published : 2014.02.25
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Abstract

We report the generation of 3.3-mW single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses at 1-kHz repetition rate via optical rectification in MgO-doped prism-cut stoichiometric LiNbO3. Efficient pulse-front tilting of 800-nm pulses was realized by an optimized single-lens focusing scheme for radially-symmetric propagation of THz beams. In this geometry, nearly-diffraction-limited THz Gaussian beams with electric field strength as high as 350 kV/cm were generated. The pump-to-THz energy conversion efficiency of $1.36{\times}10^{-3}$ and the extremely high signal-to-noise ratio of ~1:15000 achieved are among the best results for 1-kHz single-cycle terahertz pulse generation ever demonstrated in room temperature operation.

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References

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