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Experimental study of harmonic generation from solid surfaces irradiated by multipicosecond laser pulses
R A Ganeev1, J A Chakera, M Raghuramaiah
1NPO Akadempribor, Tashkent 700 143, Uzbekistan.
Summary
This study explores harmonic generation from solid surfaces using high-intensity laser pulses. P-polarized light yields significantly higher harmonic generation compared to s-polarized light, explained by Faraday rotation.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Laser-Matter Interactions
Background:
- Harmonic generation from solid surfaces is a key phenomenon in nonlinear optics.
- Understanding laser-matter interactions at high intensities is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate harmonic generation from solid surfaces.
- To determine the intensity scaling and conversion efficiency of second, third, and fourth harmonics.
- To analyze the effect of laser polarization on harmonic generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing 27 picosecond (ps) Nd:glass laser pulses at a wavelength of 1053 nm.
- Employing laser intensities in the range of 10^13–10^15 W cm⁻².
- Investigating both p-polarized and s-polarized laser beams incident obliquely on solid surfaces.
Main Results:
- Observed intensity scaling exponents of 1.5, 1.8, and 3.8 for second, third, and fourth harmonics with p-polarized light.
- Achieved conversion efficiencies of 2x10⁻⁸, 10⁻¹⁰, and 5x10⁻¹² for the respective harmonics at 10^15 W cm⁻².
- Found that s-polarized light resulted in 10-100 times lower second and third harmonic yields compared to p-polarized light.
Conclusions:
- The polarization of the incident laser beam significantly impacts harmonic generation efficiency.
- Faraday rotation in the reflected fundamental radiation provides an explanation for the observed polarization-dependent harmonic yields.
- These findings contribute to the understanding of nonlinear optical processes at solid surfaces.