title: Terahertz generation from graphite.
abstract: Generation of subpicosecond terahertz pulses is observed when graphite surfaces are illuminated with femtosecond near-infrared laser pulses. The nonlinear optical generation of THz pulses from graphite is unexpected since, in principle, the material possesses a centre of inversion symmetry. Experiments with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite crystals suggest that the THz radiation is generated by a transient photocurrent in a direction normal to the graphene planes, along the c-axis of the crystal. This is supported by magnetic-field induced changes in the THz electric-field polarization, and consequently, the direction of the photocurrent. We show that other forms of graphite, such as a pencil drawing on paper, are also capable of emitting THz pulses.
authors.affiliation: Optics Research Group, Department of Imaging Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied SciencesDelft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands. G.Ramakrishnan@tudelft.nl
authors.forename: Gopakumar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramakrishnan
authors.forename: Reshmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakkittakandy
authors.forename: Paul C M
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Planken