Details of a single-shot terahertz apparatus optimized for high energy density sciences experiments

There has been increasing interest in terahertz (THz) techniques due to the unique opportunities they enable for imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy. Recently, the development of single-shot THz detection techniques has enabled THz measurements of materials driven to extreme conditions. Here, we present the details of a single-shot THz apparatus optimized for performing measurements of electrical conductivity materials laser excited to extreme conditions. A single-shot THz measurement is required for this study as the samples are irreversibly changed in each measurement, and this makes conventional THz detection unsuitable. We discuss the details of the experimental setup, the single-shot detection method, and compare different nonlinear crystals used for THz generation: Zinc Telluride (ZnTe), N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (BNA), and N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline on sapphire (BNA-s). We compare the peak field, bandwidth, and spot size of THz electromagnetic transients produced by the different mediums. Finally, we discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different THz generation crystals in their applications to studies of materials under extreme conditions.