A new time-frequency method to reveal quantum dynamics of atomic hydrogen in intense laser pulses: Synchrosqueezing Transform

This study introduces a new adaptive time-frequency (TF) analysis technique, synchrosqueezing transform (SST), to explore the dynamics of a laser-driven hydrogen atom at an {\it ab initio} level, upon which we have demonstrated its versatility as a new viable venue for further exploring quantum dynamics. For a signal composed of oscillatory components which can be characterized by instantaneous frequency, the SST enables rendering the decomposed signal based on the phase information inherited in the linear TF representation with mathematical support. Compared with the classical type TF methods, the SST clearly depicts several intrinsic quantum dynamical processes such as selection rules, AC Stark effects, and high harmonic generation

Optimization of three-color laser field for the generation of single ultrashort attosecond pulse

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.023857.We present an efficient and realizable scheme for the generation of an ultrashort single attosecond (as) pulse. The feasibility of such a scheme is demonstrated by solving accurately the time-dependent Schrödinger equation using the time-dependent generalized pseudospectral (TDGPS) method. This scheme involves the use of the optimization of the three-color laser fields. The optimized laser pulse is synthesized by three one-color laser pulses with proper relative phases. It can provide a longer acceleration time for the tunneling and oscillating electrons, and allows the electrons to gain more kinetic energy. We show that the plateau of high-order harmonic generation is extended dramatically and a broadband supercontinuum spectra is produced. As a result, an isolated 23 as pulse with a bandwidth of 163 eV can be obtained directly by superposing the supercontinuum harmonics near the cutoff region. We will show that such a metrology can be realized experimentally

Coherent control of the electron quantum paths for the generation of single ultrashort attosecond laser pulse

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.033414.We report a mechanism and a realizable approach for the coherent control of the generation of an isolated and ultrashort attosecond (as) laser pulse from atoms by optimizing the two-color laser fields with a proper time delay. Optimizing the laser pulse shape allows the control of the electron quantum paths and enables high-harmonic generation from the long- and short-trajectory electrons to be enhanced and split near the cutoff region. In addition, it delays the long-trajectory electron emission time and allows the production of extremely short attosecond pulses in a relatively narrow time duration. As a case study, we show that an isolated 30 as pulse with a bandwidth of 127 eV can be generated directly from the contribution of long-trajectory electrons alone

Dynamical origin of near- and below-threshold harmonic generation of Cs in an intense mid-infrared laser field

Near- and below-threshold harmonic generation provides a potential approach to generate vacuum-ultraviolet frequency comb. However, the dynamical origin of in these lower harmonics is less understood and largely unexplored. Here we perform an ab initio quantum study of the near- and below-threshold harmonic generation of caesium (Cs) atoms in an intense 3,600-nm mid-infrared laser field. Combining with a synchrosqueezing transform of the quantum time-frequency spectrum and an extended semiclassical analysis, the roles of multiphoton and multiple rescattering trajectories on the near- and below-threshold harmonic generation processes are clarified. We find that the multiphoton-dominated trajectories only involve the electrons scattered off the higher part of the combined atom-field potential followed by the absorption of many photons in near- and below-threshold regime. Furthermore, only the near-resonant below-threshold harmonic is exclusive to exhibit phase locked features. Our results shed light on the dynamic origin of the near- and below-threshold harmonic generation.This work was partially supported by the Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, US Department of Energy. P.-C.L. is partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants nos. 11364039 and 11465016), the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (grant no. 1308RJZA195) and the Education Department of Gansu Province (grant no. 2014A-010). We also would like to acknowledge the partial support of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Taiwan University (grants nos NTU-104R104021 and NTU-ERP-104R8700-2). We would also like to thank Dr Tak-San Ho and Liang-Yan Hsu (Princeton University) and Dr Dmitry A. Telnov (St Petersburg State University) for helpful discussions and suggestions