Coherent field transients below 15 THz from phase-matched difference frequency generation in 4H-SiC

Marco P. Fischer, Johannes Bühler, Gabriel Fitzky, Takayuki Kurihara, Stefan Eggert, Alfred Leitenstorfer, and Daniele Brida

Index: 10.1364/OL.42.002687

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Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate tunable, phase-matched difference frequency generation covering the spectral region below 15 THz using 4H-SiC as a nonlinear crystal. This material combines a non-centrosymmetric lattice and strong birefringence with broadband transparency at low optical frequencies. Thorough refractive index measurements in the terahertz spectral range allow us to calculate phase-matching conditions for any near-infrared pump laser source. 4H-SiC is also exploited as a detector crystal for electro-optic sampling. The results allow us to estimate the effective second-order nonlinear coefficient.