Terahertz radiation from free-free transitions of an atom in strong superposing laser fields

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) emissions of an isolated atom in an ultrashort (100 fs) laser field are simulated by solving the time-dependent Schroumldinger equation. From numerical calculations with one- and three-dimensional hydrogen atom models and a short-range shallow potential model, it can be concluded that continuum THz emissions occur more readily following transitions involving intermediate states above rather than those well below the ionization threshold of the system. Line-shaped THz emissions from transitions between high-lying Rydberg states are also found. The models are also used to describe the observed enhanced terahertz emissions with a superposed second-order harmonic laser field or a spatially constant electric field. The dependence of the THz field strength on the intensities of the fundamental laser field and the superposed field is also examined. Strong field approximation is extended to analyze the general features of THz emissions resulting from continuum free-free transitions of an electron in strong laser fields. These calculations contribute to an understanding of the THz emission processes when strong laser fields interact with atomic and molecular systems that have larger ionization potentials and where multi-photon processes are involved in order to generate THz emissions effectively.