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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
11:20
Investigation of Early Plasma Evolution Induced by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Published on: July 2, 2012
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Sub-cycle dynamics in two-color high-harmonic generation from laser-produced plasmas.
Optics Express
|November 22, 2024
Summary
High-order harmonic generation (HHG) in aluminum and tin plasmas produced both odd and even harmonics. Controlling the laser field
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Attosecond Science
- Nonlinear Optics
Background:
- High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is a key process for generating ultrashort light pulses.
- Understanding HHG in plasmas is crucial for advanced spectroscopy and attosecond science.
- Previous studies have explored HHG in various media, but control over electron trajectories in plasmas remains an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in laser-produced aluminum and tin plasmas.
- To explore the influence of a shaped two-color driving field on electron trajectories and harmonic emission.
- To analyze the role of the Coulomb potential in intermediate harmonic generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a two-color laser field with orthogonal polarization to drive HHG in aluminum and tin plasmas.
- Controlling the phase between the fundamental wave and its second harmonic to shape the driving field with sub-cycle resolution.
- Analyzing the spectral and temporal characteristics of the generated high-order harmonics, focusing on intermediate orders.
Main Results:
- Observed generation of both odd and even harmonics in aluminum and tin plasmas.
- Demonstrated sub-cycle control over the effective drive field by adjusting the relative phase of the two-color field.
- Detected clear oscillatory signals in HHG yields, with modulation depth and phase dependent on harmonic order.
Conclusions:
- The shape of the driving field significantly influences electron trajectories in laser-produced plasmas.
- The Coulomb potential plays a substantial role in shaping electron dynamics for intermediate harmonic orders.
- This work provides insights into controlling HHG in plasmas for potential applications in attosecond science.
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