Experimental observation of frequency up-conversion of terahertz radiation using laser produced plasmas

When plasmas are instantaneously created around an electromagnetic wave, frequency of the wave up-converted to the frequency, which depends on the plasma frequency. This phenomenon is called as the flash-ionization. The theory requires the plasma creation in time much shorter than an oscillation per...

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Published in35th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves pp. 1 - 2
Main Authors Otsuka, T, Suzuki, F, Nakata, M, Kasama, J, Higashiguchi, T, Yugami, N, Kodama, R
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.09.2010
Subjects
Crystals
Ionization
Laser excitation
Laser theory
Measurement by laser beam
Plasmas
Pump lasers
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Summary:When plasmas are instantaneously created around an electromagnetic wave, frequency of the wave up-converted to the frequency, which depends on the plasma frequency. This phenomenon is called as the flash-ionization. The theory requires the plasma creation in time much shorter than an oscillation period of the electromagnetic wave. We have demonstrated the proof of principle experiment using the interaction between a terahertz wave and plasmas created by an ultrashort laser pulse, which ensures the plasma creation time-scale much shorter than a period of electromagnetic source wave. We observed frequency up-conversion from 0.2 THz to 0.7-1.5 THz by the irradiance of the laser in ZnSe crystal. The up-conversion to the broad frequencies suggests that the flash ionization occurs in non-uniform plasmas produced in the deeper region of the crystal.
ISBN:9781424466559
1424466555
ISSN:2162-2027
DOI:10.1109/ICIMW.2010.5612427