Properties of focused combined modes of terahertz laser

Abstract

Physical features of spatial-energy characteristics of linearly polarized THz laser beams at sharp and moderate focusing in free space are analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The Rayleigh–Sommerfeld vector theory is used to model propagation of laser beams excited by quasi-optical waveguide resonator modes in free space. Well-known methods of measuring spatial-energy characteristics of laser beams in the THz range are used in the experimental study. It is shown that the intensity of the total electric field of both combined TE0n + EH2n and EН–1n + EH3n modes (n = 1, 2, 3) in the focal region is defined by all three components and has a dip on the axis for both focusing types. The central maxima of the field of these modes become significantly shifted from the geometric foci of the lenses used as the order n of these modes increases. The EН–11 + EH31 mode has the smallest diameter (2.94λ) of the focal spot in the maximum intensity region at sharp focusing. The TE01 + EH21 mode has the smallest diameter (13.65λ) of the focal spot at moderate focusing.