Two-color high-harmonic generation from relativistic plasma mirrors

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Laser-Plasma Interactions

Background:

• High-intensity laser-matter interactions generate attosecond pulses via high-harmonic generation (HHG).
• Most research has focused on single laser beam configurations for HHG.
• Understanding multi-beam interactions is crucial for advancing HHG efficiency and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate the influence of wavelength and polarization on relativistic HHG.
• To analyze two-beam interactions at normal incidence on plasma mirrors.
• To identify key parameters governing the efficiency and characteristics of two-beam HHG.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of relativistic laser-plasma interactions.
• Modeling of two-beam configurations with varying wavelengths and polarizations.
• Analysis of harmonic spectra and emission properties.

Main Results:

• The two-beam harmonic generation process is robust and follows specific selection rules.
• The emitted harmonic intensity is optimized under conditions of equal intensity for two-color circularly polarized fields.
• Wavelength and polarization play critical roles in shaping the HHG process.

Conclusions:

• Two-beam interactions offer a viable pathway for controlled attosecond light generation.
• The identified selection rules provide a framework for optimizing HHG experiments.
• Equal intensity circularly polarized beams are key for maximizing harmonic emission in this configuration.