Open AccessTHz generation from laser-induced breakdown in pressurized molecular gases: on the way to terahertz remote sensing of the atmospheres of Mars and Venus
Author(s) -
P. M. Solyankin,
Iriikolaeva,
A. A. Angeluts,
D. E. Shipilo,
Н. В. Минаев,
N. A. Panov,
A. V. Balakin,
Yiming Zhu,
O.G. Kosareva,
Alexander P. Shkurinov
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
new journal of physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.584
H-Index - 190
ISSN - 1367-2630
DOI - 10.1088/1367-2630/ab60f3
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , mars exploration program , physics , atmosphere of mars , venus , atmosphere (unit) , laser , femtosecond , ionization , trace gas , far infrared laser , martian , bar (unit) , astrobiology , optics , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , ion , quantum mechanics
The present paper studies the generation of terahertz (THz) radiation in CO 2 in comparison with atmospheric air at a wide range of pressures. We established experimentally and explained theoretically that for these gases there are optimal pressures at about 1 bar for air and 0.5 bar for CO 2 under which the efficiency of conversion from near-infrared to THz frequencies is the highest. We consider the possibility of applying femtosecond laser-induced THz generation for the study of the atmosphere of Mars and found that the overall THz yield near the surface of Mars is just a factor of 6 lower than on Earth. Comparable THz energy on the two planets is associated with underdense plasma on Earth (∼10% of neutrals) and full double ionization of carbon dioxide on Mars (∼200% of neutrals), the latter opening great perspective for THz remote sensing of trace gases in the Martian atmosphere.