Universal properties of locally generated terahertz waveforms from polarization-controlled two- and multicolor ionizing fields

Authored by

H. Alirezaee, S. Skupin, V. Vaicaitis, A. Demircan, I. Babushkin, Luc Bergé, U. Morgner

Abstract

The polarization states of terahertz (THz) radiation generated in a photoionized gas driven by intense two- or multi-frequency fields with locally controlled polarization are studied. We reveal a universal property of the resulting THz waveforms: the ellipticity of their polarization state increases linearly with frequency. This "linear chirp of ellipticity"makes plasma-based THz generation unique among other THz sources. However, it also imposes some constraints on the polarization properties of the generated THz radiation. We derive a general expression for the THz ellipticity and demonstrate how the polarization states of the generated THz waveforms can be manipulated and controlled by the polarization of the pump pulses.

Details

Organisation(s): Institute of Quantum Optics
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
External Organisation(s): Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
Vilnius University
Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy im Forschungsbund Berlin e.V. (MBI)
Universite de Bordeaux
Type: Article
Journal: Physical Review Research
Volume: 7
ISSN: 2643-1564
Publication date: 14.07.2025
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Physics and Astronomy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1103/dj4k-q4x2 (Access: Open )