Electro-optically Induced and Manipulated Terahertz Waves from Fe-doped InGaAs Surfaces

We demonstrate the presence of dual simultaneous nonlinear mechanisms: field-induced optical rectification (FIOR) and field-induced surge current (FISC) for the generation of terahertz (THz) pulses from p-type and n-type Fe:In_0.53Ga_0.47As surfaces upon excitation with femtosecond laser pulses centered at 800 nm wavelength. Experimental investigations of the dependence of the generated THz waves on the incident angular optical polarization, optical irradiance, and the direction and magnitude of applied electric DC fields give confirming results to the proposed THz generation mechanisms. Applying external DC electric fields in the plane of the incident optical field shows efficient capability in manipulating the direction and phase of the generated THz waves, and controlling the refractive index of Fe:In_0.53Ga_0.47As material in the THz range, in addition to enhancing the emitted THz power up to two orders of magnitude. The fast and reliable response of Fe:In_0.53Ga_0.47As to the changes in the direction and magnitude of the optical and electrical fields suggests its use in amplitude and phase modulators, and ultrafast optoelectronic systems.