Abstract

We present recent advances in the generation of single- and few-cycle THz transients with peak fields up to 25 MV/cm and our recent nonlinear spectroscopy experiments on bulk semiconductors performed using these a novel source of ultra-intense multi-THz transients. The field-induced interband optical absorption in InP is studied on sub-cycle timescales. Our simulations corroborate the Franz-Keldysh effect as the main reason for the observed optical anomalies. The two-dimensional spectroscopy of InSb excited far below the interband resonance demonstrates clear signatures of a non-perturbative response.

© 2012 Optical Society of America