Theoretical study of terahertz generation from atoms and aligned molecules driven by two-color laser fields

Abstract

We study the generation of terahertz radiation from atoms and molecules driven by an ultrashort fundamental laser and its second-harmonic field by solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation (TDSE). The comparisons between one-, two-, and three-dimensional TDSE numerical simulations show that the initial ionized wave packet and its subsequent acceleration in the laser field and rescattering with long-range Coulomb potential play key roles. We also present the dependence of the optimum phase delay and yield of terahertz radiation on the laser intensity, wavelength, duration, and ratio of two-color laser components. Terahertz wave generation from model hydrogen molecules is further investigated by comparing with high harmonic emission. It is found that the terahertz yield follows the alignment dependence of the ionization rate, while the optimal two-color phase delays vary by a small amount when the alignment angle changes from 0 to 90 degrees, which reflects the alignment dependence of attosecond electron dynamics. Finally, we show that terahertz emission might be used to clarify the origin of interference in high harmonic generation from aligned molecules by coincidentally measuring the alignment-dependent THz yields.