0000000000195324
AUTHOR
Marco Cassataro
Counter-propagating difference frequency mixing in diamond with terahertz waves
We investigate four-wave mixing between terahertz and optical pulses in diamond. We observe the occurrence of sum and difference frequency generation, with the latter being phase-matched for terahertz pulses counter-propagating to the optical field.
Counter-propagating frequency mixing with Terahertz waves in diamond
Frequency conversion by means of Kerr nonlinearity is one of the most common and exploited nonlinear optical processes in the UV, visible, IR, and mid-IR spectral regions. Here we show that wave mixing of an optical field and a terahertz wave can be achieved in diamond, resulting in the frequency conversion of the terahertz radiation either by sum- or difference-frequency generation. In the latter case, we show that this process is phase matched and most efficient in a counterpropagating geometry.
Counter-propagating difference-frequency generation in diamond with terahertz fields
The nonlinear interaction of terahertz (THz) pulses with optical fields in Kerr, gaseous media is a key ingredient for broadband THz detection schemes [1]. Terahertz field-induced second harmonic generation in solid-state media has also been considered for THz detection and as a tool e.g. for liquid dynamics investigations [2,3], while four-wave mixing has been addressed as a possible mechanism for THz generation [4,5]. © 2013 IEEE.