Nonlinear cross-phase modulation with intense single-cycle terahertz pulses.
We have demonstrated nonlinear cross-phase modulation in electro-optic crystals using intense, single-cycle terahertz (THz) radiation. Individual THz pulses, generated by coherent transition radiation emitted by subpicosecond electron bunches, have peak energies of up to 100 microJ per pulse. The time-dependent electric field of the intense THz pulses induces cross-phase modulation in electro-optic crystals through the Pockels effect, leading to spectral shifting, broadening, and modulation of copropagating laser pulses. The observed THz-induced cross-phase modulation agrees well with a time-dependent phase-shift model.
Shen
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Y
National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
Watanabe
T
T
Arena
D A
DA
Kao
C-C
CC
Murphy
J B
JB
Tsang
T Y
TY
Wang
X J
XJ
Carr
G L
GL