Abstract

Calculations were carried out to optimize the output THz peak electric field strength in optical rectification of ultrashort laser pulses in LiNbO₃ using tilted-pulse-front excitation. The results predict peak electric field strengths on the MV/cm level in the 0.3–1.5 THz frequency range by using optimal pump pulse duration of about 500 fs, optimal crystal length, and cryogenic temperatures for reducing THz absorption in LiNbO₃. The THz electric field strength can be increased further to tens of MV/cm by focusing. Using optimal conditions together with the contact grating technique THz pulses with 100 MV/cm focused electric field strength and energies on the tens-of-mJ scale are feasible.

© 2011 Optical Society of America