Abstract
New findings in plasma harmonics studies using strong laser fields are reviewed. We discuss recent achievements in the growth of the efficiency of coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation sources based on frequency conversion of the ultrashort pulses in the laser-produced plasmas, which allowed for the spectral and structural studies of matter through the high-order harmonic generation (HHG) spectroscopy. These studies showed that plasma HHG can open new opportunities in many unexpected areas of laser-matter interaction. Besides being considered as an alternative method for generation of coherent XUV radiation, it can be used as a powerful tool for various spectroscopic and analytical applications.
Highlights
To promote the use of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation, it seems appropriate to advance laboratory scale sources to a higher application level
We present the current status of laser ablation induced high-order harmonic generation spectroscopy (LAIHOHGS) and show the perspectives in the developments of this filed
Some arguments, which could explain the enhanced high-order harmonic yield from this medium, are as follows: (a) the graphite target allows easier generation of a relatively dense carbon plasma and the production of adequate phasematching conditions for lower-order harmonic generation, (b) the first ionization potential of carbon is high enough to prevent the appearance of high concentration of free electrons, a condition that is not necessarily met in metal plasma plumes, (c) neutral carbon atoms dominate in the carbon plume at optimal conditions of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) before the interaction with the femtosecond laser pulse, and (d) carbon species allow the formation of multiparticle clusters during laser ablation, which can enhance the HHG yield
Summary
To promote the use of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation, it seems appropriate to advance laboratory scale sources to a higher application level. Its velocity is very high so the time the ionic potential has to affect the electron’s trajectory is short and it is still a reasonable approximation to discard it This is a semiclassical model in the way that the evolution of the electron in the continuum is treated classically and the ionization and recombination are treated quantum mechanically. High harmonics are often generated with pulse durations shorter than those of the driving laser This is due to phase matching and ionization. At intensities above 1016 W cm−2, the magnetic component of the laser pulse, which is ignored in weak field optics, can become strong enough to deflect the returning electron This will cause it to “miss” the parent nucleus and prevent HHG. We present the current status of laser ablation induced high-order harmonic generation spectroscopy (LAIHOHGS) and show the perspectives in the developments of this filed
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