Femtosecond Enhancement Cavities in the Nonlinear Regime

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Nonlinear optics
• Laser physics

Background:

• Nonlinear light-matter interactions are crucial for various optical technologies.
• High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is a key nonlinear process, but limited by intensity.
• Controlling phase sensitivity in nonlinear processes is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly phase-sensitive technique for investigating nonlinear light-matter interactions.
• To experimentally validate an ab initio model for gas-filled optical resonators.
• To enable global optimization of intracavity nonlinear processes like HHG.

Main Methods:

• Combining high-finesse optical resonators with spatial-spectral interferometry.
• Developing and validating an ab initio model for resonator nonlinear response.
• Utilizing intracavity nonlinearity for pulse compression.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a highly phase-sensitive investigation technique.
• Experimentally validated the ab initio model for gas-filled resonators.
• Predicted feasibility of driving HHG beyond current intensity limitations.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique offers precise control and optimization of nonlinear optical processes.
• Pulse compression via intracavity nonlinearity is a promising route to overcome HHG intensity limits.
• This work paves the way for advanced applications in nonlinear optics and attosecond science.