Broadband terahertz wave generation from ridge waveguide

Cherenkov phase-matched terahertz (THz) wave generation from a MgO:LiNbO₃ ridge waveguide was studied using optical rectification. Time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) results showed a single-cycle pulse with femtosecond pulse pumping. The spectrum covered the range of 0.1 ~ 7 THz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of over 50 dB. The output power measured by a Si bolometer and a deuterated triglycine sulfate (DTGS) pyroelectric detector are shown and compared to that of a commercial photoconductive antenna (PCA). This system is believed to be a promising THz source for low-cost, compact, robust, and highly integrated TDS, THz imaging, and tomography systems.