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.
Exact reconstruction of thz sub-λ source features in knife-edge measurements
The spatial features of a sub-wavelength terahertz source are not accessible using time-integrated knife-edge techniques due to the non-separable space-time nature of the radiated field and to systematic modifications induced by the blade itself. We show that combining knife-edge with a time resolved electro-optical sampling, the space-time coupling can be addressed and the source field profile can be exactly reconstructed.
Space-time features of THz emission from optical rectification in sub-wavelength areas
We present our investigation on the THz space-time emission characteristic induced by the non-paraxial generation regime in highly localized THz generation via optical rectification on sub-wavelength areas.
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.
Spatio-temporal Characteristics of THz Emission at the Subwavelength Scale via Optical Rectification
Highly localized THz emission via optical rectification in thin nonlinear crystals is a promising method for subwavelength microscopy. We present here the peculiar THz spatio-temporal characteristics induced by the non-paraxial generation regime.
Spatial and spectral properties of small area THz generation for sub-wavelength microscopy
A highly localized THz source is a promising candidate for sub-wavelength microscopy, due to its superior radiation power throughput with respect to others near-field techniques. Here, we report on the spatial and the spectral near-field properties of our highly localized THz source.
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.