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Charge-Density Ripples Modulated by Nuclear Quantum Effects in High-Harmonic Generation in Solids
Shi-Qi Hu1, Qing Chen1,2, Sheng Meng1,2,3
1Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and , Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China.
Physical Review Letters
|April 17, 2026
Summary
Nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) impact ultrafast dynamics. Solid-state high-harmonic generation (HHG) reveals these effects by detecting NQE-driven charge fluctuations through modified harmonic features, enabling all-optical measurement.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Attosecond science
- Solid-state physics
Background:
- Nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) are crucial in physical and chemical phenomena.
- Their influence on ultrafast dynamics is not well understood.
- Attosecond processes are key to studying ultrafast dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate solid-state high-harmonic generation (HHG) as a tool for probing NQEs in attosecond processes.
- To investigate how NQEs modify ultrafast dynamics in HHG.
- To provide a method for all-optical detection of NQE-driven charge fluctuations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing solid-state high-harmonic generation (HHG) spectroscopy.
- Investigating the role of charge density ripples (CDRs) induced by nuclear quantum delocalization.
- Analyzing modifications in HHG trajectories and harmonic features.
Main Results:
- NQEs substantially alter HHG trajectories via NQE-modulated CDRs.
- The oscillation phase of HHG is shifted by NQEs.
- Measurable signatures, including emission symmetry and polarization ellipse rotation, are introduced in harmonic features.
Conclusions:
- Solid-state HHG is a viable platform for studying NQEs in attosecond dynamics.
- NQEs introduce unique, measurable signatures in HHG, explaining recent experimental findings.
- This work enables all-optical detection of NQE-driven charge fluctuations using HHG spectroscopy.
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