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Abstract Large crystal growth and characterization of the optical and terahertz (THz) properties of organic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal NMBA (4‐Nitro‐4′‐methylbenzylidene aniline) is presented. The reported method of crystal growth consistently produces high‐quality single crystals. The THz generation efficiency and optical properties of NMBA to other THz generation crystals including BNA and MNA are compared. The low THz absorptions that make NMBA an ideal source for THz time‐domain spectroscopy are highlighted.
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Custom terahertz waveforms using complementary organic nonlinear optical crystals
Organic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are among the most efficient (>1%) terahertz (THz) radiation generators. However, one of the limitations of using organic NLO crystals is that the unique THz absorptions in each crystal make it difficult to obtain a strong, smooth, and broad emission spectrum. In this work, we combine THz pulses from two complementary crystals, DAST and PNPA, to effectively fill in spectral gaps, creating a smooth spectrum with frequencies out to 5 THz. The combination of pulses also increases the peak-to-peak field strength from 1 MV/cm to 1.9 MV/cm.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2104317
- PAR ID:
- 10379835
- Publisher / Repository:
- Optical Society of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Optics Letters
- Volume:
- 47
- Issue:
- 22
- ISSN:
- 0146-9592; OPLEDP
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 5985
- Size(s):
- Article No. 5985
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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