Optically-Pumped Terahertz Sources and Applications

Despite several progress generation of electromagnetic power in the THz range is still underdeveloped compared to the other frequency bands. Direct THz generation poses fundamental and practical problems very difficult to solve. Generating THz using sources from lower or higher frequencies is an alternative way. Harmonic generation from microwave sources has been quite successful in the past decades. In this invited paper we will discuss about the other way: using optical waves to pump a THz source. We will consider particularly our recent results concerning a new approach for THz continuous wave (CW) generation.