Dynamic two-center interference in high-order harmonic generation from molecules with attosecond nuclear motion

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Molecular physics
• Attosecond science

Background:

• High-harmonic generation (HHG) is a key process for generating ultrashort light pulses.
• Understanding molecular dynamics requires probing electron and nuclear motion on attosecond timescales.
• Two-center interference is a known phenomenon in HHG, typically studied with static nuclei.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel dynamic two-center interference effect in HHG from H2.
• To investigate the influence of attosecond nuclear motion on HHG spectra.
• To demonstrate a new technique for probing ultrafast molecular dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a recently developed technique for probing attosecond nuclear dynamics.
• Performing high-harmonic generation experiments on H2 molecules.
• Employing theoretical analysis based on the strong-field approximation.

Main Results:

• Observed a new dynamic two-center interference effect in HHG from H2.
• Demonstrated that attosecond nuclear motion of H2+ influences interference patterns.
• Interference was observed at lower harmonic orders compared to static nuclei models.
• Experimental results were accurately reproduced by theoretical calculations.

Conclusions:

• The dynamic two-center interference effect is a sensitive probe of molecular nuclear motion.
• Attosecond nuclear dynamics play a crucial role in shaping HHG spectra.
• The developed technique enables new insights into ultrafast molecular processes.