Ladder Climbing Using An Intense Single Cycle Terahertz Pulse : Ladder Climbing on the Anharmonic Intermolecular Potential

We succeed in the generation of an intense THz pulse with maximum electric field of 250 kV/cm via non-collinear process in LiNbO3. We optimize the generation process and discuss the mechanism of High power THz generation. Using this source we drive large-amplitude motions in L-arginine micro crystals. Absorption spectra show the suppression of peaks and enhancement of low frequency absorption. These results are reproduced by simu- lation based on coherent transition in quantum levels of anharmonic potential. We have demonstrated that it is possible to use intense terahertz pulses to climb 20 ladder steps on the anharmonic intermolecular potential in the microcrystal. This opens the door to the possibility of manipulating large molecules, thereby increasing understanding of the properties of molecular complexes such as proteins.