Bohmian mechanics to high-order harmonic generation

This paper introduces Bohmian mechanics (BM) into the intense laser-atom physics to study high-order harmonic generation. In BM, the trajectories of atomic electron in an intense laser field can be obtained with the Bohm--Newton equation. The power spectrum with the trajectory of an atomic electron is calculated, which is found to be irregular. Next, the power spectrum associated with an atom ensemble from BM is considered, where the power spectrum becomes regular and consistent with that from quantum mechanics. Finally, the reason of the generation of the irregular spectrum is discussed.     

高次谐波辐射发射特性研究

报告由不同脉冲宽度(半高宽,FWHM)和不同载波-包络相位(CEP,Φ)的激光产生的高次谐波辐射能量输出时间特性即发射特性的研究结果. 计算表明,由宽度为几个周期的激光产生的高次谐波辐射的截止能量明显低于由无限长脉冲宽度激光产生的截止能量ω_max=3.17U_p+I_p(其中ω_max为光子角频率,U_p和I_p分别为激光有质动力势和原子的电离能). 例如,由两周期(FWHM),Φ＝15°的激光产生的高次谐波辐射的截止能量为ω_max=2.90U_p+I_p,此时发射特性单脉冲(即分布单脉冲)具有最大的能量带宽0.86U_p. 脉冲中心位置的载波相位和时间宽度分别为0.94rad(弧度)和1.29rad. 而该激光脉冲在Φ＝-75°时能产生截止能量为ω_max=2.70U_p+I_p,最大能量带宽为0.70U_p的双分布脉冲,其中心位置分别为-0.58rad和2.43rad,宽度分别为1.22rad和1.33rad. 随着激光脉冲宽度的增加,分布单脉冲的能量带宽比时间宽度下降得更快. 对于一定宽度的激光脉冲,所产生的分布单脉冲的能量带宽和时间宽度的CEP依赖性显示出180°的周期结构. 利用这个有趣的特点,在实验上可以通过调节CEP来选择分布脉冲的能量参数,也可用来定位和控制阿秒脉冲的时间参数. 理论分析指出,只要选择合适的阿秒X射线能量带宽,CEP不稳定性对于光电子谱和测量结果的影响将大为降低,甚至在最大程度上消除这种影响. 这些研究结果不仅有助于在物理上深入了解高次谐波辐射的动力学过程,而且对于进一步在实验上优化和选择阿秒单脉冲和双脉冲具有重要的参考和指导意义. 关键词： 高次谐波产生 鞍点方法 谐波发射特性 分布脉冲     

Dramatic enhancement of high-order harmonic generation

We present a dramatic enhancement [Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 043002 (2003)] of high-order harmonic generation by simultaneous irradiation of booster harmonics. A key feature of our experiment is the use of mixed gases (Xe and He) with different ionization energies. The harmonics from Xe atoms act as a booster to increase the harmonic yield from He by a factor of 4 x 10(3). The dominance of the dramatic enhancement effect is supported by simulation with the time-dependent Schr?dinger equation as well as the observed spatial characteristic of the generated harmonics and dependence on medium conditions.     

Multiple collisions in crystal high-order harmonic generation

We theoretically investigate high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in crystals induced by linearly polarized laser fields. We obtain the HHG spectra by solving the semiconductor Bloch equations and analyze the radiation process by different models. Here we propose a multiple collision model, in which the electrons and holes are produced at different times and places. It is found that the multiple collision trajectories can help us comprehensively and better explain the results of the quantum calculation. Moreover, we find that the harmonic suppression occurs due to the overlap of multiple collision trajectories.     

Multi-photon resonance enhanced super high-order harmonic generation

This paper proposes highly charged ions pumped by intense laser to produce very high order harmonics.Numerical simulations and full quantum theory of Ne 9+ ions driven by laser pulses at 1064 nm in the power range of 10 9 W/cm 2 ～ 10 15 W/cm 2 show that the emission spectrum corresponds to the electronic transitions from the excited states to the ground state,which is very different from the spectrum of general high-order harmonic generation.In such situation,harmonic order as high as 1000 can be obtained without producing lower order harmonics and the energy conversion efficiency is close to general high order harmonic generation of hydrogen atom in the same laser field.     

A scaling law of high-order harmonic generation

Using a nonperturbative quantum electrodynamics theory of high-order harmonic generation (HHG), a scaling law of HHG is established. The scaling law states that when the atomic binding energy E_b, the wavelength λ and the intensity I of the laser field change simultaneously to kE_b, λ/k, and k³I, respectively. The characteristics of the HHG spectrum remain unchanged, while the harmonic yield is enhanced k³ times. That HHG obeys the same scaling law with above-threshold ionization is a solid proof of the fact that the two physical processes have similar physical mechanisms. The variation of integrated harmonic yields is also discussed.     

空气中等离子光栅诱导探测光丝三次谐波辐射放大的实验研究

对探测光丝的不同位置与等离子光栅相互作用和探测光丝作用到等离子光栅不同位置引起三次谐波的增强进行了实验研究.研究发现,探测光丝的三次谐波信号强度对于探测光丝不同位置与等离子光栅相互作用和等离子光栅内部钳制的激光强度具有极强的依赖关系.与等离子光栅相互作用,三次谐波信号与等离子光栅基波信号的相位匹配与否是解释探测光丝三次谐波信号强度变化的关键.控制探测光丝以小角度与等离子光栅相互作用是实现探测光丝三次谐波信号有效放大的最佳途径.     

Quantum path interferences in high-order harmonic generation

We have investigated the intensity dependence of high-order harmonic generation in argon when the two shortest quantum paths contribute to the harmonic emission. For the first time to our knowledge, experimental conditions were found to clearly observe interference between these two quantum paths that are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. This result is a first step towards the direct experimental characterization of the full single-atom dipole moment and demonstrates an unprecedented accuracy of quantum path control on an attosecond time scale.     

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     

Molecular imaging using high-order harmonic generation and above-threshold ionization

Accurate molecular imaging via high-order harmonic generation relies on comparing harmonic emission from a laser-irradiated molecule and an adequate reference system. However, an ideal reference atom with the same ionization properties as the molecule is not always available. We show that for suitably designed, very short laser pulses, a one-to-one mapping from high-order harmonic frequencies to electron momenta in above-threshold ionization exists. Comparing molecular and atomic momentum distributions then provides the electron recollision amplitude in the molecule for enhanced molecular imaging. The method retrieves the molecular recombination transition moments highly accurately, even with suboptimal reference atoms.     

Influence of circular aperture on high-order harmonic generation

The influence of circular aperture on the intensity of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) with intense femtosecond laser pulse was studied both experimentally and theoretically. The intensity variety of HHG with the diameter of circular aperture was observed in pulsed Ar gas. The result was discussed and interpreted in terms of the theory of Hankel transform. It is found that using the Gaussian beam truncated by an aperture could enhance the conversion efficiency of HHG at certain conditions.     

相对论质量修正效应对超高次谐波的影响

通过分别求解含时狄拉克方程和含时薛定谔方程, 研究了一维模型原子在相对论超强激光脉冲作用下的超高次谐波发射过程. 研究结果表明: 在弱场强条件下, 相对论的模拟结果可以退化到非相对论的结果; 随着场强的增强, 可以逐渐观察到明显的相对论质量修正效应. 此外, 根据发展的相对论的"三步"模型并结合小波时频分析方法, 分析了谐波平台的截止位置和发射效率.     

Spectrally resolved maker fringes in high-order harmonic generation

We investigate macroscopic interference effects in high-order harmonic generation using a Ti:sapphire laser operating at a 100 kHz repetition rate. The structure and behavior of spectral and spatial interference fringes are explained and analytically described by transient phase matching of the long electron trajectory contribution. Time-frequency mapping due to the temporal chirp of the harmonic emission allows us to observe Maker fringes directly in the spectral domain.     

Population inversion in fluorescing fragments of super-excited molecules inside an air filament

An original idea is reviewed.When a molecule is pumped into a super-excited state,one of its decay channels is neutral dissociation.One or more of the neutral fragments will fluoresce.Hence,if a lower state of such fluorescing fragments was populated through other channels but with a lower probability,population inversion of the fluorescing fragments would be naturally realized.This idea seems to be validated,so far,by comparing published work on three hydrocarbon molecules,CH4,C2H2,C2H4,and water vapor,H2O.After super-excitation in a femtosecond laser filament in air mixed with these molecules,the fluorescence from the CH or OH fragments exhibits population inversion,i.e.,amplified spontaneous emission was observed in the backscattering direction of the filament.     

正交偏振双色激光场作用下高次谐波的椭偏特性研究

通过数值求解二维含时薛定谔方程,理论研究了正交偏振双色激光场作用下H2+分子高次谐波发射和孤立阿秒脉冲的产生. 数值结果显示,改变激光场的强度比,可以调控高次谐波强度以及谐波椭偏率. 结果表明随着场强比的增加,y方向的谐波强度不断提高. 当场强比为1:2.5时,x方向和y方向分别仅有奇次谐波和偶次谐波产生,并且偶次谐波的强度比奇次谐波强度高2-3个数量级. 此时,奇次谐波的椭偏率最大可以达到0.3,偶次谐波的椭偏率接近于0. 此外,通过改变分子的准直角可以控制谐波的椭偏率,基于这一现象,利用椭圆偏振高次谐波的平台区合成了椭偏率为0.05的椭圆偏振阿秒脉冲链.     

Direct observation of laser filamentation in high-order harmonic generation

We investigate the spatial evolution of a laser pulse used to generate high-order harmonics (orders ranging from 45 to 91) in a semi-infinite helium-filled gas cell. The 5 mJ, 30 fs laser pulses experience elongated focusing with two distinct waists when focused with f/125 optics in 80 Torr of helium. Extended phase matching for the generation of harmonics occurs in the region between the double foci of the laser, where the laser beam changes from diverging to converging.     

Field-free alignment of molecules observed with high-order harmonic generation

High-order harmonic generation is demonstrated to provide a sensitive way for an extensive study of dynamic processes in the field-free alignment of strong-field-induced molecular rotational wave packets. The time-dependent harmonic signal observed from field-free-aligned N2, O2, and CO2 has been found to include two sets of beat frequency for pairs of coherently populated rotational states. One of them is the well-known frequency component characterizing the field-free alignment of molecules, and the other is ascribed to the beat that arises from coherence embedded in the wave packet. We discuss the effect of each frequency component on the revival signal observed with the harmonic generation.     

Orientation and ellipticity dependence of high-order harmonic generation in nanowires

It has been predicted that high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in nanowires has the potential to scale up photon energy and harmonic yield. However, studies on HHG in nanowires are still theoretical and no relevant experimental results have been reported as yet. Our experimental observation of the high-order harmonic in cadmium sulfide nanowires (CdS NWs) excited by a mid-infrared laser is, to our knowledge, the first of such study, and it verifies some of the theoretical results. Our experimental results show that the observed harmonics are strongest when a pump laser is parallel to the nanowires. Therefore, the theoretical prediction that harmonics are strongest under the nanowires parallel to the laser field is confirmed experimentally, and this can be used to determine the orientation of the nanowire. In addition, harmonics are sensitive to the variation of pump light ellipticities. This orientation dependence opens new opportunities to access the ultrafast and strong-field physics of nanowires.