Search

We propose a new single-shot method for measuring terahertz pulses using a linearly chirped optical pulse interferogram. Modulated frequency domain phase information can be extracted by the interferogram recorded on imaging spectrographs. The terahertz pulse waveform is obtained from the phase information. We overcome the energy fluctuation problem by using the phase information, making a reference shot unnecessary and the terahertz detection more flexible and convincing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate nonlinear interaction of nitrogen molecules with a two-color laser field composed by an intense 800 nm laser pulse and a weak 400 nm laser pulse. It is demonstrated that the spectrum of 400 nm pulses is dramatically broadened when the two beams temporally overlap. In comparison, the spectral broadening in argon is less pronounced, although argon atoms and nitrogen molecules have comparable ionization potentials. We reveal that the dramatic spectral broadening originates from the greatly enhanced nonlinear optical effects in the near-resonant condition of interaction between the 400 nm pulses and the nitrogen molecular ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]