Role of molecular orbital symmetry on the alignment dependence of high-order harmonic generation with molecules
- J.R. Macdonald Laboratory, Physics Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 (United States)
It is shown that the alignment dependence of the yields of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from molecules by intense lasers is governed by the orbital symmetry of the outermost electron(s). For N{sub 2}, with its outermost {sigma}{sub g} electron, the HHG yield is maximal when the molecules are aligned with the laser polarization direction, in agreement with the recent experiment of Itatani et al. [Nature 432, 867 (2004)]. For O{sub 2}, with its outermost {pi}{sub g} electron, the HHG yield peaks when the molecules are aligned at about 45 deg. from the polarization axis. We emphasize that the alignment dependence is determined mostly by the orbital symmetry and weakly on the laser parameters or the species.
- OSTI ID:
- 20717856
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Vol. 71, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.71.061801; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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