Second order nonlinear optical processes in [111] cubic crystals for terahertz optoelectronics

Abstract

In this paper, we give an overview of emission and detection of terahertz electromagnetic pulses using, respectively, optical rectification and electro-optic effect in [111] zinc blende crystals. This crystal orientation allows us to generate and read any polarization state of the THz beam only by controlling the polarization state of the laser beam that excites or probes the emitting and receiving crystals. This technique is very useful for polarimetric terahertz spectroscopic studies.