  Using an affordable ytterbium laser with sub-mJ of energy combined with a
novel pulse compression technique, we demonstrate an extremely competitive
state-of-the-art terahertz (THz) source with 53 mW of average power and 310
kV/cm at focus from the tilted-pulse front pumping scheme in lithium niobate at
room temperature. Key points of this demonstration include the use of a pump
pulse duration of 280 fs in combination with an echelon mirror. Our results
present unmatched combined characteristics and are highly competitive with the
existing THz sources pumped at the mJ range. This demonstration is a step
towards the democratization of access to intense and powerful THz pulses.
