Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:52
Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Spectrally resolved maker fringes in high-order harmonic generation
1Fachbereich Physik, Philipps-Universität Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|August 16, 2011
Summary
We observed macroscopic interference in high-order harmonic generation using a Ti:sapphire laser. This phenomenon is explained by transient phase matching and allows direct observation of Maker fringes in the spectral domain.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Optics
- Laser Physics
- Nonlinear Optics
Background:
- High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is a key process for producing coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and soft X-ray radiation.
- Understanding interference effects in HHG is crucial for controlling and optimizing XUV light sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macroscopic interference effects in high-order harmonic generation.
- To explain the structure and behavior of spectral and spatial interference fringes.
- To demonstrate the direct observation of Maker fringes in the spectral domain.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Ti:sapphire laser operating at a 100 kHz repetition rate.
- Employed analytical descriptions based on transient phase matching.
- Leveraged time-frequency mapping of harmonic emission.
Main Results:
- Macroscopic interference effects were observed and characterized.
- The observed fringes are explained by transient phase matching of the long electron trajectory contribution.
- Maker fringes were directly observed in the spectral domain due to temporal chirp.
Conclusions:
- Transient phase matching of the long electron trajectory is responsible for macroscopic interference in HHG.
- Time-frequency mapping provides a direct method for observing spectral Maker fringes.
- This work offers insights into controlling HHG for advanced light source applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Interference and Diffraction
Interference is a characteristic phenomenon exhibited by waves. When two electromagnetic waves interact with their peaks and troughs coinciding, a resulting wave with enhanced amplitude is produced. This is known as constructive interference. In this case, the two waves interacting are in phase with each other.
01:02¹H NMR: Interpreting Distorted and Overlapping Signals
Spin systems where the difference in chemical shifts of the coupled nuclei is greater than ten times J are called first-order spin systems. These nuclei are weakly coupled, and their chemical shifts and coupling constant can generally be estimated from the well-separated signals in the spectrum.
As Δν decreases and the signals move closer, the doublets appear increasingly distorted. The intensities of the inner lines increase at the cost of those of the outer lines as the signals are slanted or...
As Δν decreases and the signals move closer, the doublets appear increasingly distorted. The intensities of the inner lines increase at the cost of those of the outer lines as the signals are slanted or...
01:08IR Spectrum Peak Splitting: Symmetric vs Asymmetric Vibrations
Identical bonds within a polyatomic group can stretch symmetrically (in-phase) or asymmetrically (out-of-phase). Similar to hydrogen bonding, these vibrations also influence the shape of the IR peak. Generally, asymmetric stretching frequencies are higher than symmetric stretching frequencies. For example, primary amines exhibit two distinct IR peaks between 3300–3500 cm−1 corresponding to the symmetric and asymmetric N-H stretching, while secondary amines exhibit a single stretching vibration...
01:14NMR Spectrometers: Resolution and Error Correction
When magnetic nuclei in a sample achieve resonance and undergo relaxation, the signal detected in NMR is an approximately exponential free induction decay. Fourier transform of an exponential decay yields a Lorentzian peak in the frequency domain. Lorentzian peaks in an NMR spectrum are defined by their amplitude, full width at half maximum, and position, where the peak width is governed by the spin-spin relaxation time alone. In real experiments, however, the applied magnetic field is rendered...