Terahertz generation from laser-induced plasma

Abstract

Interest of the research in terahertz (THz) wave has been strongly motivated by its wide applications in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Developing efficient and reliable THz source is of uttermost priority in these researches. Numerous attempts have been made in fulfilling the THz generation. Greatly benefited from the progress of the ultrafast pulses, the laser-induced-plasma is one of the auspicious tools to provide desirable THz waves, owing to its superiorities in high power threshold, intense THz signal, and ultrawide THz spectrum. This paper reviews the physics and progress of the THz generation from the laser-induced plasmas, which are produced by gas, liquid, and solid. The characteristics of the emitted THz waves are also included. There are many complicated physical processes involved in the interactions of laser-plasma, making various laser-plasma scenarios in the THz generations. In view of this, we will only focus on the THz generation classified by physical mechanisms. Finally, we discuss a perspective on the future of THz generation from the laser-induced plasma, as well as its involved challenges.

Keywords

• terahertz generation
• ultrafast pulses
• laser-induced plasma