High-average and high-peak output-power terahertz-wave generation by optical parametric down-conversion in MgO:LiNbO3

Abstract

A widely tunable terahertz (THz)-wave generation that has a high repetition rate and a narrow line width is demonstrated in this paper by injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generation (is-TPG) in a MgO:LiNbO3 crystal. By pumping the crystal using a passively Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium vanadate microchip laser with a time duration of 140 ps and an average power of up to 5 W, a THz-wave output with an average output power of 30 μW, a peak power of 4 W, a pulse duration of 73 ps, and a pulse-repetition frequency of 100 kHz is obtained. To prevent laser damage and photorefractive damage to the crystal, the constraints on the pumping condition of the MgO:LiNbO3 crystal are experimentally studied by changing the pumping parameters. As a result, we achieved the stable generation of the THz-wave signal in the 100 kHz regime. Moreover, we performed THz-wave imaging by using the developed is-TPG source. The obtained THz image indicated that the developed system has a good stability over long periods of time.