THz generation by cascaded optical down-conversion

Author

Kozlov, V.G. ; Vodopyanov, K.L. ; Fejer, M.M. ; Lee, Y.S. ; Hurlbut, W.C.

Author_Institution

Microtech Instrum. Inc., Eugene

fYear

2006

fDate

18-22 Sept. 2006

Firstpage

390

Lastpage

390

Abstract

We demonstrate THz generation in a cascaded optical down-conversion process, where each optical photon radiates several THz photons. This observation confirms that optical-to-THz conversion efficiency can potentially exceed Manley-Rowe limit imposed by the difference in optical and THz photon energies. The cascade process was observed in quasi-phase matched (QPM) periodic GaAs structures placed in a resonantly pumped optical parametric oscillator. Using a 10W pump laser system, we generated up to 1 mW of THz radiation, tunable in the range 0.5 -3 THz.

Keywords

gallium arsenide; optical frequency conversion; optical parametric oscillators; optical wavelength conversion; submillimetre wave generation; GaAs; Manley-Rowe limit; THz generation; THz photon energies; cascaded optical down-conversion process; frequency 0.5 THz to 3 THz; optical parametric oscillator; optical photon; optical-to-THz conversion efficiency; periodic GaAs structures; power 10 W; pump laser system; quasi-phase matching; submillimetre wave generation; Gallium arsenide; Laser excitation; Nonlinear optics; Optical pumping; Oscillators; Periodic structures; Pump lasers; Quantum cascade lasers; Resonance; Tunable circuits and devices;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Infrared Millimeter Waves and 14th International Conference on Teraherz Electronics, 2006. IRMMW-THz 2006. Joint 31st International Conference on

Conference_Location

Shanghai

Print_ISBN

1-4244-0400-2

Electronic_ISBN

1-4244-0400-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICIMW.2006.368598

Filename

4222332