Generation of Low-frequency Components Due to Phase-amplitude Modulation of Subcycle Far-infrared Pulses in Near-field Diffraction

26 August 2002

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We observe carrier phase dependent generation of low-frequency spectral components in the near-field zone of a subwavelength aperture illuminated by subcycle far-infrared (terahertz) pulses. 

Diffraction induced II/2-phase shift of the pulse carrier results in the spectral intensity variation of the low-frequency components. The effect demonstrates that spectral content of subcycle pulses is not conserved under phase-shift transformations.