Generation of Terahertz Radiation by Interaction of Intense Femtosecond Laser Pulses with a Metal Surface
We present the results of experimental and theoretical studies of generation of terahertz radiation during reflection of a femtosecond-long laser pulse from a metal surface. It is shown that a greater part of the experimental results (narrow directivity of the terahertz waves and dependence of its energy on the polarization and incidence angle of the laser radiation) can be interpreted within the model of Cherenkov radiation. Some new features of generation of terahertz radiation are considered, which appear during an optical breakdown of the medium near the metal surface. Structural changes in the terahertz signal, which take place in the process of formation of the near-surface plasma, are studied.