Directional THz generation in hot Rb vapor excited to a Rydberg state

Abstract

We optically excite ${}^{85}$Rb atoms in a heated vapor cell to a low-lying Rydberg state 10D${}_{5/2}$ and observe directional terahertz (THz) beams at 3.3 THz and 7.8 THz. These THz fields are generated by amplified spontaneous emission from the 10D${}_{5/2}$ state to the 11P${}_{3/2}$ and 8F${}_{7/2}$ states, respectively. In addition, we observe ultraviolet (UV) light produced by four-wave mixing of optical pump lasers and the 3.3 THz field. We characterize the generated THz power over the detuning and power of pump lasers, and identify experimental conditions favoring THz and UV generation, respectively. Our scheme paves a new pathway towards generating high-power narrow-band THz radiation.

arXiv comment5 pages, 4 figures, and 2 tables

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Quantum sensing of microwave electric fields based on Rydberg atoms
• Gouy phase-matched angular and radial mode conversion in four-wave mixing
• Telecom-wavelength spectra of a Rydberg state in a hot vapor
• Electric-field metrology of a terahertz frequency comb using Rydberg atoms
• Homodyne detection of a two-photon resonance assisted by cooperative emission