Measurement and calculation of the orientation dependence of terahertz pulse detection in ZnTe

We have performed measurements and calculations of the efficiency of terahertz (THz) detection in ZnTe as functions of the angle between the THz polarization and the crystal (001) axis of the angle between the THz polarization and the probe-beam polarization. We find that, for angles of 0 degrees and 90 degrees between the probe and THz polarization, the THz detection process is most efficient, whereas the commonly used angle of 45 degrees gives less than optimal results. In addition, we show how the polarization direction of a THz beam can be found if the direction of the crystal (001) axis is known. Our results are valid for ZnTe and other zinc-blende crystals such as GaP. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.