Ultrahigh harmonic generation from diatomic molecular ions in highly excited vibrational states

Numerical calculations of the harmonic yield from diatomic molecular ions initially prepared in a highly excited vibrational state show a remarkable enhancement of the harmonic energies in the plateau in terms of the ponderomotive energy. The two-step scheme that explains the mechanism of harmonic generation by atoms is extended to our double potential-well structure, providing an explanation for the high photon energies produced.