Concepts and Applications of Nonlinear Terahertz Spectroscopy (Second Edition)

Terahertz (THz) radiation with frequencies between 100 GHz and 30 THz has developed into an important tool of science and technology, with numerous applications in materials characterization, imaging, sensor technologies, and telecommunications. Recent progress in THz generation has provided ultrashort THz pulses with electric field amplitudes of up to several megavolts/cm. This development opens the new research field of nonlinear THz spectroscopy in which strong light-matter interactions are exploited to induce quantum excitations and/or charge transport and follow their nonequilibrium dynamics in timeresolved experiments. This book introduces methods of THz generation and nonlinear THz spectroscopy in a tutorial way, discusses the relevant theoretical concepts, and presents prototypical, experimental, and theoretical results in condensed matter physics. The potential of nonlinear THz spectroscopy is illustrated by recent research, including an overview of the relevant literature.

Since the publication of the first edition of the book, nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy of condensed-phase molecular systems has made substantial progress, with respect to both methods and applications. Such new developments have generated groundbreaking new insight into basic physical and chemical phenomena and will be covered in the new chapter 6. After introducing the relevant low-frequency excitations in section 6.1, different aspects of liquid dynamics and electron solvation will be discussed, including the so far nearly unexplored many-body aspects of liquid dynamics (sections 6.2 to 6.4). In section 6.5, the novel method of terahertz Stark spectroscopy will be discussed and illustrated by results from the very recent literature.

Key Features:

• Introduces methods of THz generation and nonlinear THz spectroscopy in a tutorial way
• Discusses the relevant theoretical concepts
• Presents prototypical, experimental, and theoretical results in condensed matter physics.
• Illustrates the potential of nonlinear THz spectroscopy by recent research, including an overview of the relevant literature.
• Includes a new chapter with insight into basic physical and chemical phenomena.