High-average-power strong-field terahertz(THz)pulses,which are generated via the optical rectification of 100-W average-power ytterbium(Yb)lasers in a nonlinear crystal,have been used to study extreme physical phenome...High-average-power strong-field terahertz(THz)pulses,which are generated via the optical rectification of 100-W average-power ytterbium(Yb)lasers in a nonlinear crystal,have been used to study extreme physical phenomena and realize various applications.However,this THz generation method suffers from a trade-off in which high repetition rates lead to low optical-to-THz energy conversion efficiency,as well as the risk of damage to the crystals under high average pumping power.In this study,we demonstrate a high-averagepower,high-repetition-rate,strong-field THz source in lithium niobate driven by a 1030 nm,1 ps,2 mJ,100 kHz Yb femtosecond laser with a tilted-pulse front-pumping configuration.By characterizing two key experimental parameters,namely the pump spot size and pulse duration,we achieve,to the best of our knowledge,the highest THz average power of 104mW at 100 kHz,with a conversion efficiency of 0.1%and without any cooling operation at room temperature.In addition,a strong electric field of 421 kV/cm is achieved at 1 kHz.Our THz system directly demonstrates its potential capabilities in high-signal-to-noise spectroscopy,imaging,nondestructive testing,and relevant THz applications.展开更多
基金supported by the Scientific Research Innovation Capability Support Project for Young Faculty(Grant No.ZYGXQNJSKYCXNLZCXM-I3)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFA1604402)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.U23A6002 and 92250307)the Beijing Municipal Science&Technology Commission,Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park(Grant No.Z251100006925005)。
文摘High-average-power strong-field terahertz(THz)pulses,which are generated via the optical rectification of 100-W average-power ytterbium(Yb)lasers in a nonlinear crystal,have been used to study extreme physical phenomena and realize various applications.However,this THz generation method suffers from a trade-off in which high repetition rates lead to low optical-to-THz energy conversion efficiency,as well as the risk of damage to the crystals under high average pumping power.In this study,we demonstrate a high-averagepower,high-repetition-rate,strong-field THz source in lithium niobate driven by a 1030 nm,1 ps,2 mJ,100 kHz Yb femtosecond laser with a tilted-pulse front-pumping configuration.By characterizing two key experimental parameters,namely the pump spot size and pulse duration,we achieve,to the best of our knowledge,the highest THz average power of 104mW at 100 kHz,with a conversion efficiency of 0.1%and without any cooling operation at room temperature.In addition,a strong electric field of 421 kV/cm is achieved at 1 kHz.Our THz system directly demonstrates its potential capabilities in high-signal-to-noise spectroscopy,imaging,nondestructive testing,and relevant THz applications.
