Generation of strong short coherent terahertz pulses in gases and solids using quantum coherence

Abstract

We show that coherently driven atomic or molecular media potentially yield strong controllable short pulses of THz radiation. The method is based on excitation of maximal quantum coherence in a gas medium by optical pulses and coherent scattering of infra-red radiation to produce pulses of THz radiation. The pulses have the energies range from several nJ to µJ and time durations from several fs to ns at room temperature. PACS numbers: