Advanced Modeling of Electro-Optic Sampling: Nonlinear Vectoral-Field Solutions to Maxwell's Equations

Abstract

A comprehensive modeling approach for elucidating the intricacies of electro-optic (EO) sampling is presented, which fully encapsulates the EO sampling process by accounting for all linear and second-order nonlinear optical effects. The developed approach implements a multi-step procedure, involving a vectorial-field modeling of the second-order nonlinear interactions occurring within the EO crystal, followed by a theoretical evaluation of the subsequent optical EO sampling components. To assess the efficacy of the approach, it is used for the sampling of terahertz electric fields (<1–>60 THz) within the bulk crystals of ZnTe and LiNbO₃, as well as a ZnTe-based waveguide. Nonetheless, this versatile method enables the investigation of EO sampling within any crystal incorporated within any geometry. This model provides a powerful tool for the in-depth exploration of EO sampling, paving the way for advancements in various applications.