Abstract
High-order harmonics extending to the X-ray region generated in a gas medium by intense lasers offer the potential for providing tabletop broadband light sources but so far are limited by their low conversion efficiency. Here we show that harmonics can be enhanced by one to two orders of magnitude without an increase in the total laser power if the laser's waveform is optimized by synthesizing two- or three-colour fields. The harmonics thus generated are also favourably phase-matched so that radiation is efficiently built up in the gas medium. Our results, combined with the emerging intense high-repetition MHz lasers, promise to increase harmonic yields by several orders to make harmonics feasible in the near future as general bright tabletop light sources, including intense attosecond pulses.
Recommended Citation
C. Jin et al., "Waveforms for Optimal Sub-KeV High-Order Harmonics with Synthesized Two- or Three-Colour Laser Fields," Nature Communications, vol. 5, Nature Publishing Group, May 2014.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms5003
Department(s)
Physics
Keywords and Phrases
Harmonic Analysis; Laser; Optimization; X-Ray, Article; Gas; Harmonic; Laser; Light; Physical Parameters; Radiation; Synthesis; Waveform
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
2041-1723
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2014 Nature Publishing Group, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
01 May 2014
PubMed ID
24873949
