High-Harmonic Generation in Solids: Bridging the Gap Between Attosecond Science and Condensed Matter Physics

Abstract

We review recent progress in understanding the dominant mechanism driving high-harmonic generation in solids. Three-dimensional two-band single active electron calculations predict that the major emission arises from the recombination of electron-hole pairs upon their creation and acceleration in the laser field, in analogy to atomic high-harmonic generation. The main goal of this study is to review a simple quasi-classical trajectory formalism and use it to better understand the fundamental properties of high-harmonic generation in solids and how they compare to high-harmonic generation in atomic and molecular gases. The simple formalism presents a valuable tool for extending attosecond science from the gas to the condensed matter phase. This is demonstrated by discussing the potential synthesis of attosecond pulses from solids.