Novel THz radiation from relativistic laser-plasmas

Z. M. Sheng; H. C. Wu; W. M. Wang; X. G. Dong; M. Chen; J. Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.820534

7 May 2009 Novel THz radiation from relativistic laser-plasmas

Z. M. Sheng, H. C. Wu, W. M. Wang, X. G. Dong, M. Chen, J. Zhang

Proceedings Volume 7359, Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves as Novel Radiation Sources from Terahertz to X-Rays and Beyond; 735910 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.820534
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2009, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

The interaction of ultrashort intense laser pulses with plasma can produce electromagnetic radiation of ultra-broad spectra ranging from terahertz (THz) radiation to keV x-rays and beyond. Here we present a review of our recent theoretical and numerical investigation on high power THz generation from tenuous plasma or gas targets irradiated by ultrashort intense laser pulses. Three mechanisms of THz emission are addressed, which include the linear mode conversion from laser wakefields in inhomogeneous plasma, transient current emission at the plasma-vacuum boundaries, and the emission from residual transverse currents produced by temporally-asymmetric laser pulses passing through gas or plasma targets. Since there is no breakdown limit for plasma under the irradiation of high power lasers, in principle, all these mechanisms can lead to terahertz pulse emission at the power of beyond megawatt with the field strength of MV/cm, suitable for the study of high THz field physics and other applications.

Citation Download Citation

Z. M. Sheng, H. C. Wu, W. M. Wang, X. G. Dong, M. Chen, and J. Zhang "Novel THz radiation from relativistic laser-plasmas", Proc. SPIE 7359, Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves as Novel Radiation Sources from Terahertz to X-Rays and Beyond, 735910 (7 May 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.820534

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available