Terahertz Diagnostic Systems Based On Frequency Combs Without Moving Parts

We exploit information and communications technologies to build a radio frequency-driven frequency comb spanning several hundred gigahertz. We investigated electro-optic modulators, which can serve as building blocks in frequency combs, terahertz generation and terahertz detection systems. These devices have high potential for applications in robust laser-based diagnostics at electron accelerators. We have reduced the pulse length generated by a frequency-comb without moving parts by more than one order of magnitude to less than 150 fs, fitting a Lorentzian-type autocorrelation function.