Encoding terahertz signatures into laser-induced plasma acoustic waves

Benjamin Clough; Jingle Liu; X.-C. Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.877071

23 February 2011 Encoding terahertz signatures into laser-induced plasma acoustic waves

Benjamin Clough, Jingle Liu, X.-C. Zhang

Proceedings Volume 7938, Terahertz Technology and Applications IV; 793804 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.877071
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The enhancement of acoustic waves from a laser-induced plasma, from audible into the ultrasonic range, is a linear function of the terahertz (THz) intensity incident on the plasma, making THz-enhanced acoustics (TEA) useful for THz detection at a standoff distance. When a femtosecond laser of sufficient peak energy is focused into air, the gas is ionized and acoustic waves are launched through the photoacoustic process. THz field-induced energy transfer through acceleration of free electrons, and the following electron-molecule collisions, results in an enhanced acoustic emission from the plasma. A physical understanding of free electron manipulation inside a dual-color laser filament is used to encode THz spectroscopic information into acoustic waves, making it possible to coherently detect the electric field profile of the THz pulse by simply "listening" to the plasma from a distance. Our most recent results utilizing TEA as method for remote THz detection will be presented.

Citation Download Citation

Benjamin Clough, Jingle Liu, and X.-C. Zhang "Encoding terahertz signatures into laser-induced plasma acoustic waves", Proc. SPIE 7938, Terahertz Technology and Applications IV, 793804 (23 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.877071

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available