Vectorizing the spatial structure of high-harmonic radiation from gas.

Area of Science:

• Strong field laser physics
• Quantum optics
• Attosecond science

Background:

• Traditional strong field laser physics focuses on temporal control, maintaining invariant spatial beam profiles.
• High harmonic generation (HHG) produces beams from coherent atomic dipole emissions, allowing spatial profile transfer from fundamental beams to harmonics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the generation of high harmonics using a spatially varying polarized fundamental laser beam, termed a vector beam.
• To explore the conversion of a vector beam's spatial characteristics into the properties of high harmonic radiation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a vector beam with space-varying polarization as the fundamental laser beam for high harmonic generation.
• Exploiting the natural spatial evolution of the vector beam during propagation to the focal region.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced high harmonics from a vector beam.
• Demonstrated conversion of the fundamental beam's polarization properties into the harmonic radiation.
• Observed the generation of circularly polarized high harmonics in the far field, originating from a linearly polarized focus.

Conclusions:

• Vector beams enable control over the spatial properties of high harmonic generation.
• The propagation dynamics of vector beams can be exploited to generate tailored harmonic beams.
• Circularly polarized high harmonics are crucial for ultrafast probing of magnetic materials.