Coherent Wake Emission of High-Order Harmonics from Overdense Plasmas

F. Quéré, C. Thaury, P. Monot, S. Dobosz, Ph. Martin, J.-P. Geindre, and P. Audebert
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 125004 – Published 30 March 2006

Abstract

We present a new mechanism for high-order harmonic generation by reflection of a laser beam from an overdense plasma, efficient even at moderate laser intensities (down to Iλ24×1015Wcm2μm2). In this mechanism, a transient phase matching between the electromagnetic field and plasma oscillations within a density gradient leads to the emission of harmonics up to the plasma frequency. These plasma oscillations are periodically excited in the wake of attosecond electron bunches which sweep across the density gradient. This process leads to a train of unevenly spaced chirped attosecond pulses and, hence, to broadened and chirped harmonics. This last effect is confirmed experimentally.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 9 January 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.125004

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

F. Quéré, C. Thaury, P. Monot, S. Dobosz, and Ph. Martin

  • Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, DSM/DRECAM, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France

J.-P. Geindre and P. Audebert

  • Laboratoire pour l’Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, UMR 7605-CNRS-CEA-Ecole Polytechnique-Université Paris VI, F91128 Palaiseau, France

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 12 — 31 March 2006

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×