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$Interference and Diffraction$ 02:18

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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Real-time Monitoring of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Ablation of In Vitro Canine Livers Using Harmonic Motion Imaging for Focused Ultrasound (HMIFU)

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Published on: November 3, 2015

Lateral shearing interferometry of high-harmonic wavefronts.

Dane R Austin¹, Tobias Witting, Christopher A Arrell

¹Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK. dane.austin@icfo.es

|May 20, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

We developed a new method for characterizing high harmonic wavefronts using lateral shearing interferometry. This technique provides detailed spatial profiles for each harmonic order, revealing complex interactions in laser-plasma experiments.

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Area of Science:

Quantum Optics
Laser Physics
Plasma Physics

Background:

Characterizing the wavefront of high harmonics is crucial for understanding high-harmonic generation (HHG).
Existing methods often lack frequency resolution or detailed spatial information.
The interplay between single-atom and macroscopic effects influences HHG spatial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a novel technique for frequency-resolved wavefront characterization of high harmonics.
To enable detailed analysis of spatial phase information across different harmonic orders.
To investigate the combined influence of atomic and collective phenomena on HHG spatial profiles.

Main Methods:

Utilizing lateral shearing interferometry with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to create tilted laser pulse replicas.
Focusing the tilted replicas onto a target to generate high harmonics.
Employing a flat-field extreme ultraviolet spectrometer to record interference patterns.
Analyzing the interference patterns to extract the spatial phase derivative of the harmonics.

Main Results:

Demonstrated frequency-resolved wavefront characterization of high harmonics.
Obtained comprehensive spatial profiles for individual harmonic orders.
Validated the technique through detailed analysis of spatial profiles.
Revealed the interplay between single-atom responses and macroscopic propagation effects.

Conclusions:

The developed lateral shearing interferometry technique is effective for frequency-resolved wavefront characterization of high harmonics.
The method provides valuable insights into the spatial properties of HHG.
Understanding these spatial properties is key to controlling and optimizing HHG processes.