Double phase-matched cascaded fifth harmonic generation in single nonlinear medium by focussed laser beam

Generation of a fifth harmonic by the cascading of two phase-matched third-order processes in a single centrosymmetric nonlinear medium with a focused fundamental beam is investigated theoretically. With the help of analytical and numerical investigations the optimized conditions for maximum conversion into the fifth harmonic are found. In general the optimal position of focusing depends on the values of the mismatches k₁ and k₂ for both steps of the third order cascading (++=3; 3++=5). It is shown that for best efficiency this method of fifth harmonic generation requires specially chosen k_1,opt and k_2,opt and focusing in the center of the nonlinear media. If the phase matching parameters are fixed and they deviate from the optimal values, then the optimal strength of focusing and position of the focus spot should be calculated according to the analysis presented here. PACS 42.65.-k; 42.65.Ky; 42.79.Nv