Rectifying the Optical-Field-Induced Current in Dielectrics: Petahertz Diode

Abstract

Investigating a theoretical model of the optical-field-induced current in dielectrics driven by strong few-cycle laser pulses, we propose an asymmetric conducting of the current by forming a heterojunction made of two distinct dielectrics with a low hole mass (mh∗me∗) and low electron mass (me∗mh∗), respectively. This proposition introduces the novel concept of a petahertz (1015 Hz) diode to rectify the current in the petahertz domain, which should be a key ingredient for the electric signal manipulation of future light-wave electronics. Further, we suggest the candidate dielectrics for the heterojunction. © 2016 American Physical Society.