Generation of terahertz and infrared relativistic half-cycle pulses in laser pulse interaction with nanodimensional targets

Abstract

A method for generation of intense infrared and terahertz radiation during interaction of powerful laser pulses with nano-dimensional targets (nanofilms, nanowires, and nanoclusters) was proposed and studied. It was shown that the temporal profile of radiation strongly depends on laser pulse amplitude and duration, electron density of the target and its geometry. Particularly, half-cycle infrared or terahertz pulses can be generated. The parameters of radiation were derived such as polarization, frequency, amplitude, etc. It was shown that the amplitude of the radiation can be on relativistic level for modern petawatt laser systems.