Nonlinear light-matter interaction at terahertz frequencies

Understand

Strong optical pulses at mid-infrared and terahertz frequencies have recently emerged as a powerful tool to manipulate and control the solid state and especially complex condensed matter systems with strongly correlated electrons.

• The recent developments in high-power sources in the 0.1-30 THz frequency range, both from table-top laser systems and Free-Electron Lasers, has provided access to excitations of molecules and solids, which can be stimulated at their resonance frequencies.
• Amongst these, we discuss free electrons in metals, superconducting gaps and Josephson plasmons in layered superconductors, vibrational modes of the crystal lattice (phonons), as well as magnetic excitations.
• This Review provides an overview and illustrative examples of how intense THz transients can be used to resonantly control matter, with particular focus on strongly correlated electron systems and high-temperature superconductors.