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Title: High-order harmonics from laser-irradiated plasma surfaces

Abstract

The investigation of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of femtosecond laser pulses by means of laser-produced plasmas is surveyed. This kind of harmonic generation is an alternative to the HHG in gases and shows significantly higher conversion efficiency. Furthermore, with plasma targets there is no limitation on applicable laser intensity and thus the generated harmonics can be much more intense. In principle, harmonic light may also be generated at relativistic laser intensity, in which case their harmonic intensities may even exceed that of the focused laser pulse by many orders of magnitude. This phenomenon presents new opportunities for applications such as nonlinear optics in the extreme ultraviolet region, photoelectron spectroscopy, and opacity measurements of high-density matter with high temporal and spatial resolution. On the other hand, HHG is strongly influenced by the laser-plasma interaction itself. In particular, recent results show a strong correlation with high-energy electrons generated during the interaction process. The harmonics are a promising tool for obtaining information not only on plasma parameters such as the local electron density, but also on the presence of large electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, and the (electron) transport inside the target. This paper reviews the theoretical and experimental progress on HHGmore » via laser-plasma interactions and discusses the prospects for applying HHG as a short-wavelength, coherent optical tool.« less

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Fachhochschule Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhelmshaven, University of Applied Sciences, Fachbereich Technik, Photonik, Constantiaplatz 4, 26723 Emden (Germany)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22038448
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Reviews of Modern Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 81; Journal Issue: 2; Other Information: (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0034-6861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; CONVERSION; CORRELATIONS; EFFICIENCY; ELECTRON DENSITY; EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION; HARMONIC GENERATION; HARMONICS; LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA; LIGHT TRANSMISSION; MAGNETIC FIELDS; NONLINEAR OPTICS; OPACITY; PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA PRODUCTION; PLASMA WAVES; RELATIVISTIC RANGE; SPATIAL RESOLUTION; SURFACES; WAVELENGTHS

Citation Formats

Teubner, U, Gibbon, P, and Institut fuer Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Juelich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52425 Juelich. High-order harmonics from laser-irradiated plasma surfaces. United States: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1103/REVMODPHYS.81.445.
Teubner, U, Gibbon, P, and Institut fuer Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, & Institute for Advanced Simulation, Juelich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52425 Juelich. High-order harmonics from laser-irradiated plasma surfaces. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/REVMODPHYS.81.445
Teubner, U, Gibbon, P, and Institut fuer Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Juelich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52425 Juelich. 2009. "High-order harmonics from laser-irradiated plasma surfaces". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/REVMODPHYS.81.445.
@article{osti_22038448,
title = {High-order harmonics from laser-irradiated plasma surfaces},
author = {Teubner, U and Gibbon, P and and Institut fuer Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Juelich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52425 Juelich},
abstractNote = {The investigation of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of femtosecond laser pulses by means of laser-produced plasmas is surveyed. This kind of harmonic generation is an alternative to the HHG in gases and shows significantly higher conversion efficiency. Furthermore, with plasma targets there is no limitation on applicable laser intensity and thus the generated harmonics can be much more intense. In principle, harmonic light may also be generated at relativistic laser intensity, in which case their harmonic intensities may even exceed that of the focused laser pulse by many orders of magnitude. This phenomenon presents new opportunities for applications such as nonlinear optics in the extreme ultraviolet region, photoelectron spectroscopy, and opacity measurements of high-density matter with high temporal and spatial resolution. On the other hand, HHG is strongly influenced by the laser-plasma interaction itself. In particular, recent results show a strong correlation with high-energy electrons generated during the interaction process. The harmonics are a promising tool for obtaining information not only on plasma parameters such as the local electron density, but also on the presence of large electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, and the (electron) transport inside the target. This paper reviews the theoretical and experimental progress on HHG via laser-plasma interactions and discusses the prospects for applying HHG as a short-wavelength, coherent optical tool.},
doi = {10.1103/REVMODPHYS.81.445},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22038448}, journal = {Reviews of Modern Physics},
issn = {0034-6861},
number = 2,
volume = 81,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009},
month = {Wed Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009}
}