Phase-matching solutions for high-order harmonic generation in hollow-core photonic-crystal fibers

Hollow-core photonic-crystal fibers are shown to allow phase-matched high-order harmonic generation by an isolated guided mode of pump radiation. Regimes of phase matching are analyzed for the fundamental guided mode of pump field with a wavelength around 800 nm, generating harmonics within the wavelength range of 25-50 nm in hollow photonic-crystal fibers filled with argon, krypton, and helium. Geometric parameters of the fiber structure and the pressure of the gas filling the fiber core are shown to serve as important, often orthogonal, control knobs, allowing a fine adjustment of the phase matching for high-order harmonic generation.