Abstract

In ultrafast optoelectronic community, different techniques of generation and detection of free-space terahertz pulses have been developed during the last several years. One of these techniques is the use of ZnTe crystal, with a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser, to generate THz beam (optical rectification) and to detect the THz beam (Pockels effect). The THz rectified generation and electro-optic detection greatly improve the frequency bandwidth of the THz beam. In this paper, we report the improvements on the performance of free-space electro-optic THz sensors, which is achieved by the use of optimal operation point in nearly zero optical bias geometry and the technique of polarization modulation. Besides, an electro-optic THz streak camera that uses the conventional optical streak camera and an EO modulator as a converter has been developed. Due to the parallel measurement property, this streak camera provides single shot capability.

© 1999 Optical Society of America