Title :
Line-narrowed, compact and coherent source of widely tunable terahertz radiation
Author :
Dunn, M.H. ; Edwards, T.J. ; Stothard, D.J.M. ; Walsh, D. ; Browne, P.G. ; Rae, C.F.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Phys. & Astron., Univ. of St Andrews, St. Andrews
Abstract :
Parametric down-conversion techniques provide an effective means for producing terahertz radiation. A novel device, based on an intra-cavity geometry, has been developed that is both compact and widely tunable over the range 1-3 THz. Reduction of the free-running linewidth of this device (typically 50-100 GHz) to <5 GHz accompanied by continuous and smooth tuning over a band extending over 50-100 GHz where this band may be set anywhere within the above tuning range is described. A significant increase in the mean terahertz power generated to >10 muW is attained by increasing the pulse repetition rate up to 350 Hz. Applications in spectroscopy and imaging are discussed.
Keywords :
optical frequency conversion; optical parametric oscillators; submillimetre wave generation; THz radiation; coherent source; compact source; intra-cavity geometry; line-narrowed source; parametric down-conversion techniques; terahertz imaging; terahertz spectroscopy; widely tunable terahertz radiation; Frequency conversion; Laser excitation; Laser tuning; Nonlinear optics; Optical mixing; Optical pumping; Pump lasers; Quantum cascade lasers; Solid lasers; Ultrafast optics; Nonlinear optics; Optical frequency conversion; Optical parametric oscillators; Terahertz generation;
Conference_Titel :
Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz. Joint 32nd International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Cardiff
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1438-3
DOI :
10.1109/ICIMW.2007.4516650
