Generation of attosecond pulses in electron-ion recombination processes

Abstract

Laser-assisted electron-ion recombination is considered. For a very short radiation pulse we analyse the generated x-ray spectrum. The development in time of the x-ray spectrum within the laser pulse duration is of particular interest. Comparison is made of our results with the spectra presented in our earlier work on this process, where the laser pulse was described by a plane wave. Moreover, we compare our results with the predictions of our classical theory of this process, addressing Bohr's correspondence principle. This shows to what extent the classical model of recombination in a laser field is still successfully applicable, if the laser pulse is composed of a few cycles only. In addition, the influence of ‘windowing' on the x-ray spectrum is discussed and finally, we shall comment on the macroscopic efficiency of this process for the x-ray generation in a plasma.