A Versatile THz Source from High-Brightness Electron Beams: Generation and Characterization

Enrica Chiadroni,Riccardo Pompili,Vladimir Shpakov,Alessandro Cianchi,Massimo Ferrario,Andrea Mostacci

doi:10.3390/condmat5020040

Abstract

Ultra-short electron bunches, such as those delivered by a high-brightness photo-injector, are suitable to produce high peak power THz radiation, both broad and narrow band, with sub-picosecond down to femtosecond pulse shaping. The features of this kind of source in the THz range of the electromagnetic spectrum are extremely appealing for frequency- and time-domain experiments in a wide variety of fields. The present manuscript will overview the method of generation and characterization of THz radiation produced by high-brightness electron beams, as those available at the SPARC_LAB test facility.

Highlights

Terahertz (THz) science [1,2] is recently arousing interest worldwide for its impact in scientific research and technological progress because of the unique characteristics of this radiation
Ultra-short electron bunches, such as those delivered by a high-brightness photo-injector, are suitable to produce high peak power THz radiation, both broad and narrow band, with sub-picosecond down to femtosecond pulse shaping
The present manuscript will overview the method of generation and characterization of THz radiation produced by high-brightness electron beams, as those available at the SPARC_LAB test facility

Summary

Introduction

Terahertz (THz) science [1,2] is recently arousing interest worldwide for its impact in scientific research and technological progress because of the unique characteristics of this radiation. As a matter of fact, powerful THz sources are highly demanded, since they can provide efficient tools to investigate matter in the non-linear regime. Both biomedical and security applications can profit from the development of innovative THz sources, detection devices and characterization techniques. THz radiation lies between the photonics and electronics bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. This frequency region extends from 300 GHz up to 30 THz, corresponding to energies, in the meV range, of great interest for many physical, chemical and biological processes. Molecular spectroscopy and imaging [3] can take advantage of a high peak power, tunable and narrow-band THz radiation

Methods

Results

Conclusion