Highly efficient terahertz electro-optic sampling by material optimization at 1060 nm

Different electro-optic crystals (CdTe, DAST, GaAs, GaP, and ZnTe) are investigated with respect to their ability as detection crystals for terahertz pulse electro-optic sampling at a wavelength of 1060 nm. Calculations of the detection response are in good qualitative agreement with experimental results. While CdTe shows the strongest signal for applications below 1 THz, GaP exhibits a broadband spectrum. By the choice of an adequate crystal a comparable detection efficiency to electro-optic sampling at a wavelength of 800 nm can be achieved.