Field emission at terahertz frequencies: AC-tunneling and ultrafast carrier dynamics

We demonstrate ultrafast terahertz (THz) field emission from a tungsten nanotip enabled by local field enhancement. Characteristic electron spectra which result from acceleration in the THz near-field are found. Employing a dual frequency pump–probe scheme, we temporally resolve different nonlinear...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: G Herink, L Wimmer, C Ropers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2014-01-01
Series:New Journal of Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/12/123005
Description
Summary:We demonstrate ultrafast terahertz (THz) field emission from a tungsten nanotip enabled by local field enhancement. Characteristic electron spectra which result from acceleration in the THz near-field are found. Employing a dual frequency pump–probe scheme, we temporally resolve different nonlinear photoemission processes induced by coupling near-infrared (NIR) and THz pulses. In the order of increasing THz field strength, we observe THz streaking, THz-induced barrier reduction (Schottky effect) and THz field emission. At intense NIR-excitation, the THz field emission is used as an ultrashort, local probe of hot electron dynamics in the apex. A first application of this scheme indicates a decreased carrier cooling rate in the confined tip geometry. Summarizing the results at various excitation conditions, we present a comprehensive picture of the distinct regimes in ultrafast photoemission in the near- and far-infrared.
ISSN:1367-2630