Spatiotemporal Imaging of Near-Fields from a Tilted Pulse Front THz Source

A better understanding of the THz near-field properties is necessary for the optimization of THz generation efficiency, transport, and coupling. We demonstrate a fast and efficient technique for spatial and temporal characterization of single cycle strong field THz pulses in the near-field of a LiNbO3 source using electro-optic sampling. In this technique an enlarged probe beam and CCD camera are used to image the entire THz field in one shot. Using this technique, we have reconstructed the full temporal 3D THz near-field close to the LiNbO3 emission face.