Abstract
The χ(2) interaction between an intense terahertz (THz) pulse and a weak optical probe is addressed, and a general solution obtained for the situation of an undepleted THz wave. It is shown that the common description of a phase retardation proportional to the THz electric field strength breaks down in strong-field conditions, unless the THz field is suitably slowly varying. The solution is obtained from a consistent description of sum- and difference-frequency generation driven by the THz field, the input optical field, and all optical fields generated through the interaction itself. For an interaction between monochromatic THz and optical waves a minimum of four waves (three optical and one THz) need be considered in the weak-field limit; higher numbers of waves are needed at higher fields, with the extent of the required optical spectrum dependent on field strength, phase matching, and interaction length.
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42.65.Ky; 42.65.Re; 78.20.Jq
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Jamison, S. The electro-optic effect for intense terahertz pulses. Appl. Phys. B 91, 241–247 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-2976-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-2976-8