Investigation of parameters of terahertz pulses generated in single-domain LiNbO3 crystal by step-wise phase mask

Abstract

A new scheme for the efficient generation of broadband terahertz radiation via optical rectification of femtosecond laser pulses in the single-domain lithium niobate crystal equipped with the step-wise phase mask (SPM) is investigated. It is shown that using the SPM one can provide the phase matching for all the spectral components of a terahertz pulse by providing the effective conversion of laser radiation in the terahertz region. The angular distribution of spectral components, as well as the temporal shape of terahertz pulses in the wave zone is studied. These results can be applied in the time-domain spectroscopy, the imaging of hidden objects, and etc.