Intense terahertz generation at low frequencies using an interdigitated ZnSe large aperture photoconductive antenna

We demonstrate the generation of intense THz pulses at low frequencies, and THz pulse shaping, using a ZnSe interdigitated large aperture photoconductive antenna. We have experimentally measured a THz pulse energy of 3.6 ±0.8 μJ, corresponding to a calculated peak THz electric field of 143 ± 17 kV/cm. We also used a binary phase mask instead of a traditional shadow mask with our interdigitated photoconductive antenna, which allows us to generate THz field profiles that range from a symmetric single-cycle THz pulse to an asymmetric half-cycle THz pulse.