Open AccessSpontaneous parametric down-conversion of photons at 660 nm to the terahertz and sub-terahertz frequency range
Author(s) -
Björn Haase,
Mirco Kutas,
Felix Riexinger,
Patricia Bickert,
Andreas Keil,
Daniel Molter,
Michael Bortz,
Georg von Freymann
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.007458
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , optics , lithium niobate , terahertz gap , physics , photon , terahertz spectroscopy and technology , photomixing , spontaneous parametric down conversion , optoelectronics , materials science , far infrared laser , laser , quantum , terahertz metamaterials , quantum mechanics , quantum entanglement
We report on spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) using 660 nm pump wavelength and the type 0 phase-matching condition to the terahertz and even sub-terahertz frequency range. Detection of the frequency-shifted signal photons is achieved by using highly efficient and narrowband volume Bragg gratings and an uncooled sCMOS camera. The acquired frequency-angular spectrum shows backward and forward generation of terahertz and sub-terahertz photons by SPDC, as well as up-conversion and higher order quasi phase-matching (QPM). The frequency-angular spectrum is theoretically calculated using a Monte-Carlo integration scheme showing a high agreement with the measurement. This work is one important step toward quantum sensing and imaging in the terahertz and sub-terahertz frequency range.