Concept of annular vector beam generation at terahertz wavelengths via a nonlinear parametric process

In this paper, we describe our theoretical investigation and calculations for a terahertz (THz)-wave profile generated by difference frequency mixing (DFM) of focused, cylindrically symmetric, and polarized optical vector beams. Using vector diffraction theory, the second-order nonlinear polarization was estimated from the electric field components of the optical pump beams penetrating uniaxial, birefringent nonlinear optics (NLO) crystals, GaSe and CdSe. The approximate beam patterns of the THz waves were simulated using DFM formulation. The intensity patterns of the THz waves for GaSe and CdSe showed sixfold symmetry and cylindrical symmetry, respectively, based on the nonlinear susceptibility tensor of the crystals. As the phase-matching angle θPM was constant with respect to the c axis of the NLO crystals, an annular vector beam with a narrow width was expected.