Electron dynamics in metals and semiconductors in strong THz fields

Semiconductors and metals respond to strong electric fields in a highly nonlinear fashion. Using single-cycle THz field transients it is possible to investigate this response in regimes not accessible by transport-based measurements. Extremely high fields can be applied without material damage, intrinsic, undoped materials can be studied, and field-induced electron emission into free space can be investigated in detail, thereby offering new knowledge about material response to strong THz-frequency fields relevant for near-future generations of electronic circuitry.