Efficient generation of extreme terahertz harmonics in 3D Dirac semimetals

Abstract

Frequency multiplication of terahertz signals on a solid state platform is highly sought-after for the next generation of high-speed electronics and the creation of frequency combs. Solutions to efficiently generate extreme harmonics (up to the $31^{\mathrm{st}}$ harmonic and beyond) of a terahertz signal with modest input intensities, however, remain elusive. Using fully nonperturbative simulations and complementary analytical theory, we show that 3D Dirac semimetals (DSMs) have enormous potential as compact sources of extreme terahertz harmonics, achieving energy conversion efficiencies beyond $10^{-5}$ at the $31^{\mathrm{st}}$ harmonic with input intensities on the order of $10$ MW/cm${}^2$, over $10^5$ times lower than in conventional THz high harmonic generation systems. Our theory also reveals a fundamental feature in the nonlinear optics of 3D DSMs: a distinctive regime where higher-order optical nonlinearity vanishes, arising as a direct result of the extra dimensionality in 3D DSMs compared to 2D DSMs. Our findings should pave the way to the development of efficient platforms for high-frequency terahertz light sources and optoelectronics based on 3D DSMs.

arXiv comment10 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (26)

• Discovery of a Three-dimensional Topological Dirac Semimetal, Na3Bi
• Strong nonlinear optical response of graphene flakes measured by four-wave mixing
• Sub-cycle control of terahertz high-harmonic generation by dynamical Bloch oscillations
• Single-cycle THz pulses with amplitudes exceeding 1 MV/cm generated by optical rectification in LiNbO3
• Dielectric response and novel electromagnetic modes in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal films
• Broadband, electrically tuneable, third harmonic generation in graphene
• Nonlinear Metamaterials for Holography
• High-harmonic generation in amorphous solids
• Anomalous Nernst Effect in Dirac Semimetal Cd3As2
• Strong nonlinear terahertz response induced by Dirac surface states in Bi2Se3 Topological Insulator
• Theory of graphene saturable absorption
• Plasmon-assisted high-harmonic generation in graphene
• Petahertz optical response in graphene
• Efficient Terahertz Harmonic Generation with Coherent Acceleration of Electrons in the Dirac Semimetal Cd3As2
• Circular dichroism in high-order harmonic generation: Heralding topological phases and transitions in Chern insulators
• Wannier-Bloch approach to localization in high harmonics generation in solids
• Non-perturbative high-harmonic generation in the three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd${}_3$As${}_2$
• Interband optical conductivity of the [001]-oriented Dirac semimetal Cd3As2
• 3D Dirac cone carrier dynamics in Na3Bi and Cd3As2
• Gate-tuned quantum Hall states in Dirac semimetal (Cd1-xZnx)3As2
• Nonlinear wavefront control by geometric-phase dielectric metasurfaces: Influence of mode field and rotational symmetry
• Extraction of higher-order nonlinear electronic response to strong field excitation in solids using high harmonic generation
• Quantized surface transport in topological Dirac semimetal films
• Direct observation of Landau level resonance and mass generation in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 thin films
• Hot electrons modulation of third harmonic generation in graphene
• Enhanced ponderomotive force in graphene due to interband resonance

Cited by in corpus (13)

• Semiconductor-Bloch Formalism: Derivation and Application to High-Harmonic Generation from Dirac Fermions
• High-harmonic spectroscopy of light-driven nonlinear anisotropic anomalous Hall effect in a Weyl semimetal
• Terahertz Polarization Conversion from Optical Dichroism in a Topological Dirac Semimetal
• Tracking ultrafast change of multiterahertz broadband response functions in a photoexcited Dirac semimetal Cd${}_3$As${}_2$ thin film
• Stimulated Rayleigh Scattering Enhanced by a Longitudinal Plasma Mode in a Periodically Driven Dirac Semimetal Cd${}_3$As${}_2$
• Ultrafast valley polarization in bilayer graphene
• High-order harmonic generations in tilted Weyl semimetals
• Population inversion and ultrafast terahertz nonlinearity of transient Dirac fermions in Cd${}_3$As${}_2$
• Anomalous Hall transport by optically injected isospin degree of freedom in Dirac semimetal thin film
• Terahertz third-harmonic generation of lightwave driven Weyl fermions far from equilibrium
• Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy of Nodal-Line Semimetals
• Generation of Half-Integer Harmonics and Efficient THz-to-Visible Frequency Conversion in Strained Graphene
• Giant enhancement of terahertz high-harmonic generation by cavity engineering of a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal