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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Efficient continuum generation exceeding 200 eV by intense ultrashort two-color driver.
1Dipartimento di Fisica, National Laboratory for Ultrafast and Ultraintense Optical Science-CNR-INFM,Politecnico di Milano, Milano I-20133, Italy. francesca.calegari@polimi.it
Researchers achieved temporal gating for high-order harmonic emission using intense infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) light pulses. This method efficiently generated coherent continuous emission up to 200 eV, paving the way for bright attosecond pulses in the soft X-ray region.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Attosecond science
- Nonlinear optics
Background:
- High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is a key process for producing extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and soft X-ray radiation.
- Controlling the temporal dynamics of HHG is crucial for generating ultrashort coherent pulses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve temporal gating of high-order harmonic emission using a two-color laser scheme.
- To efficiently generate coherent continuous emission extending to higher photon energies.
- To explore the potential for producing bright attosecond pulses in the soft X-ray spectral region.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an intense 20 fs, 1.45 µm infrared (IR) pulse in combination with an intense 13 fs, 800 nm visible (VIS) pulse.
- Employing Ar and Ne gas targets for harmonic emission generation.
- Analyzing the spectral characteristics and efficiency of the generated coherent emission.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful temporal gating of the HHG process.
- Achieved efficient generation of coherent continuous emission up to 160 eV (Ar) and 200 eV (Ne).
- The IR pulse extended harmonic emission to higher photon energies, while the VIS pulse enhanced conversion efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The two-color gating scheme effectively controls high-order harmonic emission.
- Bright attosecond pulses approaching the soft X-ray spectral region can be produced.
- This technique offers a promising route for advanced light source development.
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