Research leader name
Dr. László Pálfalvi
During the previous two support cycles, we implemented a technique for producing terahertz (THz) pulses with extremely high energy and extremely high electric peak field strength, which is a recognition of two decades earlier, due to the so-called tilted pulse front excitation technique.
Today, the procedure we developed, which is considered to be the most effective method in the world, is used in the most famous research centers, for example, in basic research in solid state physics.
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The main effort of recent years has been the scaling up of THz pulse energy and the exploration of application possibilities. In the meantime, we faced factors hindering the expansion of the applications of the original tilted pulse front arrangement. In order to eliminate these hindering factors, we have proposed several new cshemes, all of which are under patenting, some of which have already won protection, which shows their feasibility and functionality.
Our research activity can be divided into three main activities (I.-III.).
I. In order to preserve our prestigious international position, further research and development work is necessary. We expect significant progress from the practical implementation of the proposed layouts, which also requires technological developments. The realization of both THz sources with high pulse energy and sources with special beam and pulse parameters (e.g. extremely high average power) can bring a big breakthrough. Our terahertz pulse sources based on lithium niobate crystal have performed excellently in practice, but due to the nature of the THz generation method, it imposes many limitations. In order to eliminate these, various alternative concepts are being developed with great momentum, some of which have already reached the demonstration phase. We pay special attention to THz generation with microstructured crystals without imaging optics. In light of the development of pump lasers, in addition to lithium niobate, semiconductor-type materials are also playing an important role.
- We see the implementation of particle acceleration as an application in Hungary as a special challenge. Ideas coming from our group were the driving force behind THz particle acceleration being able to enter the practical stage in different places around the world. We also have domestic and international patents filed or under protection in this field. Our simulation calculations related to electron acceleration with THz pulses are very promising. The design and construction of several THz electron accelerators operating on different principles is in progress.
III. We also consider it socially important to move in an interdisciplinary direction as much as possible. In cooperation with biologist colleagues, we have already begun to investigate the effect of THz on living tissue and vital functions. We want to extend THz techniques to biomedical applications as widely as possible.
