Surface-emitted terahertz-wave generation by ridged periodically poled lithium niobate and enhancement by mixing of two terahertz waves

Surface-emitted terahertz- (THz-) wave generation by difference-frequency mixing with ridge-shaped periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) was demonstrated. The PPLN had a ridge height of 300 mu m, a thickness of 20 Am, and an interaction length of 35 mm. The ridge behaves as a slab waveguide for optical pump beams. The PPLN gives rise to THz waves in opposite directions, perpendicular to the pump-beam direction. Reflecting the THz wave on one side and overlapping it with the THz wave on the other side increased the total THz-wave intensity similar to 2.7 times compared with that without reflection and mixing. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.