Project B05 - New Journal of Physics: Sub-cycle slicing of phase-locked and intense midinfrared

We demonstrate sub-cycle manipulation of mid-infrared optical waveforms in the time domain. This goal is accomplished via efficient reflection at a semiconductor surface induced by femtosecond interband excitation.

The ultrafast response of this process allows slicing of high-field multi-terahertz transients down to the single optical cycle. Ultrabroadband and phase-stable transients with peak amplitudes beyond 10 MV cm−1 are obtained, paving the way for efficient coherent control of light–matter interaction in the non-perturbative regime. The microscopic analysis of electron–hole plasma generation in germanium reveals a decisive role of two-photon absorption allowing efficient slicing up to mid-infrared frequencies.

B. Mayer, C. Schmidt, J. Bühler, D. V Seletskiy, D. Brida, A. Pashkin and A. Leitenstorfer

New J. Physics 16 (6), 063033 (2014)
DOI:10.1088/1367-2630/16/6/063033