Plasma effect on the phase matching of high harmonic generation

By optimizing the phase matching condition of high harmonic generation(HHG) from a supersonic neon gas jet,the enhanced HHG in the region of 60-70 eV has been selected.Three-dimensional numerical calculation shows that plasma plays a significant role in the phase matching process of HHG in a supersonic gas jet with short medium length.Due to plasma formation,the harmonic emission decays as the laser intensity reaches over 3.5 × 10 14 W/cm 2.The plasma induces the broadening and blue shift of the HHG spectra,which provides a method for fine-tuning the harmonic wavelength.     

Attosecond pulse generation from two-electron harmonic emission spectrum

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the high-order harmonic generation and attosecond pulse generation when a two-electron He atom is exposed to the intense laser pulse. It shows that due to the two-electron double recombination mechanism, an extended plateau beyond the classical single-electron harmonic has been obtained on the two-electron harmonic spectrum. Further by using this two-electron harmonic extension scheme combined with the two-color field, two supercontinuum bandwidths with 200 e V have been obtained. As a result, a series of sub-60 as extreme ultraviolet(XUV)pulses have been directly generated.     

Quasi-periodic and random quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation

Quasi-phase matching schemes employing quasi-periodic or random spatial modulations, previously applied to perturbative nonlinear optics, are demonstrated theoretically for the extreme nonlinear optical process of high harmonic generation. We show that quasi-periodic quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation can be used for simultaneous enhancement of arbitrarily chosen spectral regions. We also demonstrate enhancement of a single extremely wide bandwidth using random quasi-phase matching.     

拉伸分子高次谐波产生的阿秒控制

通过数值求解一维含时薛定谔方程,本文研究了高频阿秒脉冲对拉伸双原子分子模型与低频飞秒激光脉冲相互作用产生高次谐波谱的影响.研究表明,若阿秒脉冲在低频脉冲的第二个光学周期截止处注入时,只第二个平台截止位置IP 5.6UP(IP为电离势,UP为有质动力能)附近谐波的效率得到显著提高;若阿秒脉冲的包络峰值处于低频脉冲第三个光学周期T/4(为飞秒激光脉冲的光学周期)附近时,则谐波谱出现了明显的整体抬高现象.对此,本文根据拉伸分子谐波谱的四种产生机制及阿秒脉冲在飞秒激光不同相位注入时的电子电离曲线,对这些谐波谱的结构给出了合理解释.     

靶源位置对强场高次谐波相位匹配的影响

为提高强激光场与惰性气体靶作用产生的孤立阿秒激光脉冲的能量,给出了一种实现高次谐波过程中最佳谐波相位匹配的定量实验方法。研究了气体靶源与高斯型驱动激光场聚焦点相对空间位置对谐波相位匹配及谐波产率的影响,得出了其最佳相位匹配位置始终位于驱动激光场聚焦点后3~5 mm,而在聚焦点之前的位置区域,严重的高次谐波相位失配导致谐波产率非常低。同时,在最佳相位匹配条件下,高次谐波场与驱动场具有相类似的空间强度分布特性,该结果印证了目前通常采用的高次谐波场为高斯光束的假设。     

Optimizing quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation using counterpropagating pulse trains

We formulate a theory of quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation using weak counterpropagating pulse trains. We predict the optimal laser intensities and pulse shapes for the counterpropagating field and find that the conversion efficiency is better than the efficiency obtained by simply suppressing harmonic emission from out-of-phase regions.     

Efficient second harmonic generation by a femtosecond pulse far from phase matching

Highly efficient second harmonic generation by a femtosecond pulse under the condition of group matching in the absence of phase matching was obtained. Second-order dispersion and cubic nonlinearity of the propagation medium were considered. The cubic nonlinearity is necessarily required for the generation to be efficient. The results obtained open up a fundamental opportunity for the efficient cascade generation of optical harmonics to be realized.     

Second harmonic generation by modal phase matching involving optical and plasmonic modes

The feasibility of a modal phase matching scheme between optical modes and surface plasmonic modes is demonstrated: in fact, the high effective index of a plasmonic mode allows us to obtain phase matching even in semiconductors showing a large dispersion between fundamental and second harmonic wavelengths. We design a realistic device to obtain Type-II second harmonic generation in AlGaAs-based waveguides; whereas one of the two pumps is carried by a plasmonic mode, the generated second harmonic signal is guided inside the AlGaAs multilayer, and hence it is not hampered by high propagation losses.     

Quasi-phase matching of high-order harmonic generation at high photon energies using counterpropagating pulses

We extend all-optical quasi-phase matching of high-order harmonic generation into spectral regions where conventional phase matching is not possible. The high laser intensities required to generate harmonics at energy >130 eV, coupled with the resulting high level of ionization, preclude conventional phase matching in all nonlinear media. Selective enhancement factors between 40 and 150 in the flux of harmonics at photon energies around 140 eV are demonstrated using a train of two counterpropagating pulses.     

Self-phase-matched high harmonic generation

Our theoretical analysis reveals that tunnel ionization significantly modifies the electric field of few-cycle laser pulses within a single oscillation period. This subcycle self-modulation is predicted to result in phase matching, making high harmonic generation in the x-ray regime possible for the first time. Such a radiation source opens novel possibilities in the investigation of matter with x-ray techniques, such as time resolved x-ray diffraction and absorption.     

Global optimization of high harmonic generation

We investigate the relevance of the absorption limit concept in the optimization of high harmonic generation. Thanks to the first direct observation of the coherence length of the process from high-contrast Maker fringes, we unravel experimental conditions for which the harmonic dipole response is enhanced when phase matching is realized within the absorption limit, leading to record conversion efficiencies in argon. Moreover, we show that harmonic generation in guided or freely propagating geometries are equivalent in the loose focusing regime. This analysis is generalized to other advanced phase-matching schemes, thereby predicting the possibility to boost the conversion efficiencies using light noble gases.     

Broadband second harmonic generation in a tapered isotropic semiconductor slab using total internal reflection quasi phase matching

This paper analytically describes the concept of enhancing the bandwidth of second-harmonic generation in the mid-infrared region in an isotropic tapered semiconductor slab configuration. In this slab geometry, the lengths between successive reflection points due to total internal reflection of the incident laser radiation increase when it propagates through the slab. A computer aided simulation has been carried out to determine the possibility of generating broadband second harmonic intensity for broadband fundamental laser radiations as they are allowed to undergo total internal reflection inside the tapered isotropic semiconductor crystal slab made of either gallium arsenide (GaAs) or zinc selenide (ZnSe). The simulated results indicate wide 3 dB bandwidths of 187 nm and 196 nm in a 30 mm long tapered slab of GaAs and ZnSe respectively. The conversion efficiency, after considering the absorption and reflection losses, is quite satisfactory (≈ 1%). The effects of variations in temperature, incident angle of the fundamental laser radiations at the air-slab interface, length and tapering angle of the semiconductor slab have been studied for generated second harmonic radiations in both GaAs and ZnSe crystals. Optimising these parameters a wider broadband frequency converter with appreciable conversion efficiency can be designed.     

Effect of a periodic magnetic field on phase matching condition in second harmonic generation at interactions of laser-plasma

In this paper, the process of second harmonic generation (SHG) is studied in underdense plasma in the presence of a periodic magnetic field. It is shown that the difference of momentums of photon of second harmonic and two photons of main wave can be provided by momentum of everyone of Fourier components of periodic magnetic field so that momentum of nth Fourier component can be chosen by . It is also proven that the highest efficiency of second harmonic generation will be provided by the first Fourier component of periodic magnetic field . It is revealed that periodic magnetic field can produce longitudinal waves at and as well.     

二维非线性光子晶体中的高阶准相位匹配谐频

在二维正方晶格的周期性极化铌酸锂晶体中，通过调节基频光波长实现了皮秒光束的高阶共线及非共线准相位匹配谐频过程，在垂直于入射光束的方向上观察到了多对红、绿、蓝三种颜色的谐频光斑.同时，通过改变晶体的入射角度也实现了基频光的高阶谐频过程.实验与理 论符合得很好，这一结果对光电子集成及紧凑器件的研究发展有重要的指导意义. 关键词： 高阶准相位匹配 二维非线性光子晶体 频率转换     

Trajectory selection in high harmonic generation by controlling the phase between orthogonal two-color fields

We demonstrate control of short and long quantum trajectories in high harmonic emission through the use of an orthogonally polarized two-color field. By controlling the relative phase ? between the two fields we show via classical and quantum calculations that we can steer the two-dimensional trajectories to return, or not, to the core and so control the relative strength of the short or long quantum trajectory contribution. In experiments, we demonstrate that this leads to robust control over the trajectory contributions using a drive field from a femtosecond laser composed of the fundamental ω at 800 nm (intensity ～1.2×10(14) W?cm(-2)) and its weaker orthogonally polarized second harmonic 2ω (intensity ～0.3×10(14) W?cm(-2)) with the relative phase between the ω and 2ω fields varied simply by tilting a fused silica plate. This is the first demonstration of short and long quantum trajectory control at the single-atom level.     

高次谐波辐射光子的能量-激光相位关系研究

原子在强激光电场中高次谐波辐射的理论与实验研究是当今科学前沿之一.利用量子力学理论和鞍点方法,细致地研究了高次谐波辐射光子的能量与激光相位的关系.对于时间宽度无限长激光,在一个激光周期内特定相位处产生的高阶辐射(X射线)有特定的能量.能量分布在7180°处成峰,有高斯形函数的对称形状.给出了这种分布的参数化公式.对于不同宽度的飞秒激光,能量分布的成峰位置、最大值和带宽等参数会发生变化.计算表明,三个振荡周期(半高宽)的飞秒激光,当载波-包络相位为175°和105°时,可以分别得到纯净的阿秒单脉冲和双脉 关键词： 超短脉冲激光 高次谐波产生 鞍点方法 能量相位关系     

Optical high harmonic generation in C60

High harmonic generation (HHG) requires a strong laser field, but in C60 a relatively weak laser field is sufficient. Numerical results presented here show that, while its low order harmonics result from the laser field, its high order ones are mainly from the multiple excitations. Since high order harmonics directly correlate with electronic transitions, the HHG spectrum accurately measures transition energies. Therefore, C60 is not only a promising material for HHG, but may also present an opportunity to develop HHG into an electronic structure probing tool.     

Molecular recollision interferometry in high harmonic generation

We use extreme-ultraviolet interferometry to measure the phase of high-order harmonic generation from transiently aligned CO(2) molecules. We unambiguously observe a reversal in phase of the high-order harmonic emission for higher harmonic orders with a sufficient degree of alignment. This results from molecular-scale quantum interferences between the molecular electronic wave function and the recolliding electron as it recombines with the molecule, and is consistent with a two-center model. Furthermore, using the combined harmonic intensity and phase information, we extract accurate information on the dispersion relation of the returning electron wave packet as a function of harmonic order. This analysis shows evidence of the effect of the molecular potential on the recolliding electron wave.