Long-lasting XUV activation of helium nanodroplets for avalanche ionization

We study the dynamics of avalanche ionization of pure helium nanodroplets activated by a weak extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) pulse and driven by an intense near-infrared (NIR) pulse. In addition to a transient enhancement of ignition of a nanoplasma at short delay times $\sim200$~fs, long-term activation of the nanodroplets lasting up to a few nanoseconds is observed. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the short-term activation is caused by the injection of seed electrons into the droplets by XUV photoemission. Long-term activation appears due to electrons remaining loosely bound to photoions which form stable `snowball' structures in the droplets. Thus, we show that XUV irradiation can induce long-lasting changes of the strong-field optical properties of nanoparticles, potentially opening new routes to controlling avalanche-ionization phenomena in nanostructures and condensed-phase systems

A Precision Optical Calibration Module (POCAM) for

We present here a new concept of an in-situ self-calibrated isotropic light source for the future IceCube-Gen2 neutrino detector called the Precision Optical Calibration Module (POCAM). IceCube-Gen2 will be a matrix of light sensors buried deep in the ice at the geographic South Pole. The timing, the location, and the amount of Cherenkov light deposited by the secondary charged particles are used to reconstruct the properties of the incident neutrinos. The reconstruction relies on a detailed detector model that includes the response of optical modules to the Cherenkov light, as well as the optical properties of the detector medium – the natural Antarctic ice. To understand these properties, both natural, and artificial light sources are already used for calibration. New calibration devices are being developed in order to improve the precision of these measurements, and reduce systematic errors. The POCAM concept is based on the principle of an inverted integrating sphere. The main components are LEDs emitting light at several wavelengths and solid-state light sensors e.g. calibrated photodiode or silicon photomultipliers to monitor the emitted light intensity. We report on the current status of the POCAM R&D

A Precision Optical Calibration Module (POCAM) for IceCube-Gen2

We present here a new concept of an in-situ self-calibrated isotropic light source for the future IceCube-Gen2 neutrino detector called the Precision Optical Calibration Module (POCAM). IceCube-Gen2 will be a matrix of light sensors buried deep in the ice at the geographic South Pole. The timing, the location, and the amount of Cherenkov light deposited by the secondary charged particles are used to reconstruct the properties of the incident neutrinos. The reconstruction relies on a detailed detector model that includes the response of optical modules to the Cherenkov light, as well as the optical properties of the detector medium – the natural Antarctic ice. To understand these properties, both natural, and artificial light sources are already used for calibration. New calibration devices are being developed in order to improve the precision of these measurements, and reduce systematic errors. The POCAM concept is based on the principle of an inverted integrating sphere. The main components are LEDs emitting light at several wavelengths and solid-state light sensors e.g. calibrated photodiode or silicon photomultipliers to monitor the emitted light intensity. We report on the current status of the POCAM R&D

Phase-matched high-order harmonic generation in pre-ionized noble gases

International audienceOne of the main difficulties to efficiently generating high-order harmonics in long neutral-gas targets is to reach the phase-matching conditions. One issue is that the medium cannot be sufficiently ionized by the driving laser due to plasma defocusing. We propose a method to improve the phase-matching by pre-ionizing the gas using a weak capillary discharge. We have demonstrated this mechanism, for the first time, in absorption-limited XUV generation by an 800 nm femtosecond laser in argon and krypton. The phase-mismatch control ability of our method is confirmed by an analytical model and numerical simulation of the complete generation process. Our method allows increasing the efficiency of the harmonic generation significantly, paving the way towards photon-hungry applications of these shortwavelength compact sources

Absorption-limited XUV generation in noble gases

International audienceWe demonstrate absorption-limited high-order harmonic generation by an 800 nm femtosecond laser in argon and krypton. Phase-matching is achieved by pre-ionizing the gas using a weak capillary discharge

Absorption-limited XUV generation in noble gases

International audienceWe demonstrate absorption-limited high-order harmonic generation by an 800 nm femtosecond laser in argon and krypton. Phase-matching is achieved by pre-ionizing the gas using a weak capillary discharge

Multiscale modeling of HHG and its applications

Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2023, Prague, Czech RepublicHigh-harmonic generation (HHG) in gaseous media is a workhorse tool in attosecond science. Its description origins from the microscopic scale of a single atom or molecule interacting with a driving IR-laser pulse. However, its practical realization usually employs a macroscopic volume of the gas. The macroscopic aspect aggregates all the microscopic emitters and brings novel physical mechanisms that drive the generation. One of the key mechanisms within the macroscopic scale is the shaping of the driving pulse due to the non-linear response of the medium. We present a comprehensive numerical model describing and coupling the physics on both scales. The model consists of different modules that provide different levels of approximation to choose an optimal trade-off between accuracy and computational cost. We then use it to address two generation schemes, where we provide a detailed picture together with experimental realizations. The first scheme uses a long medium homogeneously pre-ionized by an electrical discharge to optimize the phase-matching of the harmonic signal. This scheme allows, in particular, for optimizing HHG in long media where the control is difficult because the driving pulse undergoes strong reshaping and defocusing due to the non-linear response after the entrance to the medium. The second scheme introduces a mechanism to control the divergence of the harmonic beam in thin targets. The divergence is driven by shaping the wavefront of the driving pulse. This allows for spectrally selective focusing of the harmonic beams without the use of optics, which leads to inevitable losses in the XUV region

A New Approach for Increasing Ascorbyl Palmitate Stability by Addition of Non-irritant Co-antioxidant

The aim of this work was to test innovative approach for enhancing ascorbyl palmitate stability in microemulsions for topical application by addition of newly synthesized co-antioxidant 4-(tridecyloxy)benzaldehyde oxime (TDBO) and to investigate its antioxidant activity and finally to evaluate cytotoxicity of TDBO-loaded microemulsions on keratinocyte cells. TDBO significantly increased ascorbyl palmitate stability in oil-dispersed-in-water (o/w) microemulsions, most presumably due to reduction of ascorbyl palmitate radical back to ascorbyl palmitate, since TDBO free-radical scavenging activity was confirmed. Cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated no significant change in cell viability or morphology in the presence of TDBO-loaded microemulsions regarding unloaded microemulsions, although greater cytotoxicity was observed with increased microemulsion concentrations. Therefore, the incorporation of TDBO as non-cytotoxic co-antioxidant in o/w microemulsions is a promising new strategy for enhancing ascorbyl palmitate stability that could be used to support antioxidant network in the skin