High-power terahertz radiation from relativistic electrons

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Material Science

Background:

• Terahertz (THz) radiation is crucial for applications at the intersection of electronics and photonics.
• Existing methods for generating broadband THz radiation, such as thermal sources and laser-driven systems, have limitations in power output.
• High-power THz sources are essential for exploring nonlinear phenomena and advanced material characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the development and validation of a high-power broadband THz radiation source.
• To demonstrate the generation of THz radiation from subpicosecond electron bunches in an accelerator.
• To highlight the potential of this new source for various scientific and technological applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing subpicosecond electron bunches within an accelerator.
• Performing calculations and experimental measurements to confirm THz radiation production.
• Characterizing the average power and spectral properties of the generated THz radiation.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated high-power broadband THz radiation from subpicosecond electron bunches.
• Achieved an average power of nearly 20 watts, significantly exceeding existing sources.
• Confirmed the feasibility of real-time, full-field THz imaging with the new source.

Conclusions:

• The developed accelerator-based THz source provides unprecedented average power.
• This high-power THz radiation opens avenues for advanced applications in material science, biomedical imaging, and nonlinear optics.
• The source enables real-time imaging of material properties and dynamic processes.