Cascaded Parametric Amplification for Highly Efficient Terahertz Generation

Abstract

A highly efficient, practical approach to high-energy terahertz (THz) generation based on spectrally cascaded optical parametric amplification (THz-COPA) is introduced. The THz wave initially generated by difference frequency generation between a strong narrowband optical pump and optical seed (0.1-10% of pump energy) kick-starts a repeated or cascaded energy down-conversion of pump photons. This helps to greatly surpass the quantum-defect efficiency and results in exponential growth of THz energy over crystal length. In cryogenically cooled periodically poled lithium niobate, energy conversion efficiencies >8% for 100 ps pulses are predicted. The calculations account for cascading effects, absorption, dispersion and laser-induced damage. Due to the coupled nonlinear interaction of multiple triplets of waves, THz-COPA exhibits physics distinct from conventional three-wave mixing parametric amplifiers. This in turn governs optimal phase-matching conditions, evolution of optical spectra as well as limitations of the nonlinear process.

arXiv comment5 pages, double column

References in corpus (3)

• Terahertz-driven linear electron acceleration
• Limitations to THz generation by optical rectification using tilted pulse fronts
• Compact electron acceleration and bunch compression in THz waveguides

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Pulse Sequences for Efficient Multi-Cycle Terahertz Generation in Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate
• Raman Shifting induced by Cascaded Quadratic Nonlinearities for Terahertz Generation
• Generating compressed broadband terahertz pulses using aperiodically poled electro-optic crystals
• Terahertz-induced cascaded interactions between spectra offset by large frequencies
• Simulations on a potential hybrid and compact attosecond X-ray source based on RF and THz technologies
• Terahertz waves generation using the isomorphs of PPKTP crystal: a theoretical investigation