We propose and analyze a scheme to generate enhanced narrow-band terahertz (THz) radiation through down-conversion of the frequency of optical lasers using laser-modulated electron beams. In the scheme the electron beam is first energy modulated by two lasers with wave numbers $k_1$ and $k_2$, respectively. After passing through a dispersion section, the energy modulation is converted to density modulation. Because of the nonlinear conversion process, the beam will have density modulation at wave number $k=n{k}_1+m{k}_2$, where $n$ and $m$ are positive or negative integers. By properly choosing the parameters for the lasers and dispersion section, one can generate density modulation at THz frequency in the beam using optical lasers. This density-modulated beam can be used to generate powerful narrow-band THz radiation. Since the THz radiation is in tight synchronization with the lasers, it should provide a high temporal resolution for the optical-pump THz-probe experiments. The central frequency of the THz radiation can be easily tuned by varying the wavelength of the two lasers and the energy chirp of the electron beam. The proposed scheme is in principle able to generate intense narrow-band THz radiation covering the whole THz range and offers a promising way towards the tunable intense narrow-band THz sources.

• Received 4 June 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTAB.12.080701

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