Optimized terahertz generation via optical rectification in ZnTe crystals

Abstract

We report on optimal control of the output energy of terahertz (THz) waves generated by optical rectification of femtosecond pulses in ZnTe crystals. An enhancement by a factor up to 2.4 is obtained with chirped pump pulses. The optimized THz wave also displays a spectral broadening. The influence of the optical pulse shaping on the pump pulse propagation, and consequently on the THz generation efficiency, is numerically investigated and discussed.