Progress, challenges, and opportunities of terahertz emission from liquids

Abstract

Broadband terahertz (THz) wave emission from flowing liquid targets has been demonstrated under short optical pulse excitation. Observations have been reported by using liquid THz sources, including optimal angle of incidence, preference of subpicosecond pulse excitation, and strong sideway emission. Compared with solid targets, the fluidity of liquid allows each laser pulse to interact with a fresh area, which makes it possible to use a table-top laser with a high repetition rate for excitation. Liquids with a comparable material density to solids make them promising candidates for the study of high-density plasma and bright THz sources. In this paper, we review recent progress, challenges, and opportunities of THz emission from liquids. This topic may offer new possibilities in the exploration of THz liquid photonics and may play an indispensable role in the study of laser-liquid interaction.