Quantum description of the high-order harmonic generation in multiphoton and tunneling regimes

Abstract

We employ a recently developed $S$-matrix approach [L. Plaja and J. A. P\'erez-Hern\'andez, Opt. Express 15, 3629 (2007)] to investigate the process of harmonic generation in tunnel and multiphoton ionization regimes. In contrast with most of the previous approaches, this model is developed without the stationary phase approximation and including the relevant continuum-continuum transitions. Therefore, it provides a full quantum description of the harmonic generation process in these two ionization regimes, with a good quantitative accuracy with the exact results of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. We show how this model can be used to investigate the contribution of the electronic population ionized at different times, thus giving a time-resolved description that, up to now, was reserved only to semiclassical models. In addition, we will show some aspects of harmonic generation beyond the semiclassical predictions as, for instance, the emission of radiation while the electron is leaving the parent ion and the generation of harmonics in semiclassically forbidden situations.