Cascaded effect in a high-peak-power terahertz-wave parametric generator

We demonstrate megawatt-level terahertz (THz)-wave generation via a Stokes-seed-injected THz-wave parametric generator and study the cascaded effect. The optical-toTHz conversion efficiency was 1.72x10(-3), and the peak power was conservatively estimated to be 1.09 MW using the pulse width of the pump. More than 80% of the THz-wave energy came from primary parametric generation, with the rest coming from high-order parametric amplification. Clear cascaded Stokes spots of second to fourth order were observed, and the factors affecting the high-order parametric process are discussed. The cascaded parametric effect is beneficial for achieving a higher optical-to-THz conversion efficiency, thereby improving the performance of high-peak-power THz-wave parametric sources. (C) 2021 Optical Society of Americ