Terahertz (THz) wave generation (TWG) in a dual-color laser is investigated with joint measurements between THz and third-harmonic generation, where the relative phase delay of dual-color fields is determined in situ in sub-wavelength accuracy, allowing for the clarification of the TWG mechanism in a direct comparison with various theoretical predictions. The delay- and polarization-dependent experiment validates that the continuum–continuum transition within the escaped electron wavepacket in the single atom gives birth to THz emission, while the bound energetic level does not contribute to TWG. TWG from atoms and molecules would provide an all-optical, vacuum-free, and ultrafast tool to record the spatiotemporal evolution of tunneling electron wavepackets.

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