Aug 15, 2023
Novel method for THz generation based on the transverse thermoelectric effect
Terahertz (THz) light finds application in multiple areas ranging from fundamental research including spectroscopy or optical materials control to modern devices for imaging, sensing or communications technology. A bottleneck for the development of such technologies are efficient and easy to implement THz emitters.
In the present work we describe and characterise a novel THz source based on the transverse thermoelectric effect (TTE): An ultrashort laser pulse induces a temperature gradient in the sample that results in an ultrafast change of electrical current in the direction perpendicular to the temperature gradient. This in turn leads to the emission of the THz radiation.
To utilise the TTE in the samples we grow thin films of layered metals on off-cut substrates resulting in an easy and scalable scheme for devices in future applications.