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X-ray second harmonic generation
S Shwartz1, M Fuchs2, J B Hastings3
1Physics Department and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel and Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Researchers observed second harmonic generation using hard x-rays in diamond. This nonlinear x-ray process is 10 times stronger than background radiation and occurs at high intensities, paving the way for future experiments.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state physics
- Nonlinear optics
- X-ray science
Background:
- Nonlinear optical processes are typically studied at lower frequencies.
- Exploring nonlinear phenomena at x-ray wavelengths presents significant experimental challenges.
- Free electron lasers (FELs) provide high-intensity coherent radiation necessary for such studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate second harmonic generation (SHG) at hard x-ray wavelengths.
- To investigate the characteristics of SHG in crystalline materials using intense x-ray sources.
- To establish the feasibility of observing nonlinear x-ray processes at high pump intensities.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a free electron laser (FEL) to generate a 1.7 Å pumping beam.
- Employing diamond as the nonlinear medium for x-ray generation.
- Measuring the generated second harmonic signal and its dependence on pump parameters.
Main Results:
- Clear experimental evidence of second harmonic generation at hard x-ray wavelengths was obtained.
- The generated second harmonic signal was approximately 10 times stronger than the background radiation.
- The SHG signal exhibited a quadratic dependence on pump pulse energy and required narrow phase-matching conditions.
- Successful observation was achieved at pump intensities exceeding 10^16 W/cm^2.
Conclusions:
- Second harmonic generation is experimentally confirmed at hard x-ray wavelengths in diamond.
- High-intensity FELs enable the study of nonlinear x-ray optics in crystalline solids.
- The demonstrated intensity regime opens avenues for exploring novel nonlinear x-ray phenomena.
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