Patent ID: 10180619

Abstract:
A terahertz wave generating element includes a nonlinear optical crystal generating terahertz waves by propagating light, and a coupling member propagating the generated terahertz waves. The coupling member includes a reflecting face reflecting at least part of the generated terahertz waves. The reflecting face is convex in a propagation direction of the generated terahertz waves. An angle at the coupling member side between the reflecting face and the propagation direction of the light is greater than 90 degrees−cos−1 (ng/nTHz) but smaller than 90 degrees at a plane including the light propagation direction. ng represents a group refractive index of the nonlinear optical crystal at a wavelength of the light, nTHz the refractive index of the coupling member at a wavelength of the generated terahertz waves. A curvature radius of the reflecting face, in a reflection region reflecting the radius terahertz waves, is smaller the farther downstream in the light propagation direction.