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High-Harmonic Generation in Solids with and without Topological Edge States
Dieter Bauer1, Kenneth K Hansen2
1Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, 18051 Rostock, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|May 15, 2018
Summary
High-harmonic generation differs vastly between topological phases, with topological edge states dramatically altering electron interference and light emission. This reveals a giant topological effect with implications for controlling light sources and topological electronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Strong-Field Laser Physics
Background:
- Topological phases exhibit unique electronic properties.
- High-harmonic generation (HHG) is a process where atoms or molecules driven by intense laser fields emit high-frequency photons.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate HHG in two topological phases of a finite, 1D periodic structure.
- Explain the origin of significant differences in harmonic yield between topological phases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized self-consistent time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT).
- Analyzed harmonic photon energies relative to the band gap.
- Examined electron interference in harmonic emission.
Main Results:
- Harmonic yield differed by up to 14 orders of magnitude between the two topological phases for photon energies below the band gap.
- This difference is attributed to the presence or absence of topological edge states.
- The degree of destructive interference in harmonic emission is strongly dependent on topological edge states.
Conclusions:
- A giant topological effect in HHG is demonstrated.
- HHG provides a sensitive probe for topological properties.
- This work bridges strong-field physics and topological condensed matter, enabling optical control of topological electronics and strong-field light sources.
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