Details of electro-optic terahertz detection with a chirped probe pulse

By revisiting the theory of terahertz pulse detection schemes employing a chirped optical probe pulse, we address and resolve a conflict that exists in literature. In this report, we show that the equation governing the detected field depends upon the experimental scheme, and in the limit of small bandwidth, that this expression differs from the conventionally used equation through a phase factor. We experimentally verify this equation using a spectral in-line interferometry approach. We also briefly discuss the implications of our new equations for single-shot terahertz retrieval schemes.