Optical methods for the generation of terahertz radiation and subterahertz acoustics of solids

Various methods to increase the efficiency of the generation of broadband terahertz radiation based on optical rectification have been analyzed. The solutions of self-consistent optical terahertz equations have been studied using the inclined front technique. The effect of symmetric and asymmetric resonant impurity centers incorporated into a crystal has been examined. Transient and asymptotic stages of generation have been considered. Attention has been focused on the evolution of the spectra of both generated terahertz and input optic signals. One- and two-frequency generation modes have been discussed. Acoustic analogs that would provide the possibility of the generation of the gigahertz acoustic supercontinuum using subterahertz elastic signals in a solid have been analyzed. The main similarities and differences between terahertz optics and subterahertz acoustics have been revealed.