Powerful Elliptically Polarized Terahertz Radiation from Oscillating-Laser-Driven Discharge Surface Currents

Abstract

This work presents a general concept of an intense laser-driven source of strong electromagnetic waves, which can be used for obtaining powerful terahertz radiation with controlled polarization. It is shown that the irradiation of a solid target surface by short relativistic laser pulses at small angles provides the excitation of strong compact relativistic discharge current pulses, propagating in a certain direction. For elliptical targets, this current emits elliptically polarized electromagnetic radiation at a given frequency with the ellipticity and the spectra defined by the target geometry. The proposed setup allows reaching extreme THz intensities and provides easy control of the radiation parameters, making it attractive for various scientific and technological applications.

Full control of the orientation of non-symmetric molecules using weak and moderate electric fields

“…31,32 QOC constitutes a powerful tool for manipulating the dynamics of quantum systems, 28,32,33 including the control of qubits, 34 population of vibrational states, 35 and coupled spin dynamics, 36 among others. Regarding molecular orientation control, the Krotov algorithm 31,37,38 is used to design terahertz laser pulses, 39 or to manipulate the permanent dipole orientation of molecular ensembles, as reported in various studies. [40][41][42][43] In addition, this algorithm has been used to optimize alignment of molecules immersed in a thermal bath.…”