Elliptically Polarized High-Order Harmonic Emission from Molecules in Linearly Polarized Laser Fields

Xibin Zhou, Robynne Lock, Nick Wagner, Wen Li, Henry C. Kapteyn, and Margaret M. Murnane
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 073902 – Published 20 February 2009

Abstract

We perform an accurate polarimetry measurement of high-order harmonic emission from aligned molecules. We find that harmonic emission from N2 can be strongly elliptically polarized even when driven by linearly polarized laser fields. These data have broad implications for understanding molecules in strong fields because they cannot be explained by simple theories based on the strong field approximation and single active electron models. Finally, this work also shows that it is possible to engineer the polarization properties of harmonic emission by carefully preparing a molecular medium.

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  • Received 29 August 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.073902

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Xibin Zhou*, Robynne Lock, Nick Wagner, Wen Li, Henry C. Kapteyn, and Margaret M. Murnane

  • JILA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA

  • *Xibin.Zhou@colorado.edu

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Vol. 102, Iss. 7 — 20 February 2009

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