High-order-harmonic generation from dense water microdroplets

We report on high-order-harmonic generation from micrometer-sized liquid water droplets. In pump-probe experiments, the influence of the time delay onto the emission of harmonic radiation is systematically studied. Phase-matching aspects are observed by controlling the focal position and the intensity of the probe pulse. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the droplet during interaction with intense laser pulses are studied by controlling the intensity of the pump pulse. We find transient phase-matching conditions and the expansion dynamics of the droplet to be of major influence on the harmonic yield. © 2013 American Physical Society.DFG/EXC/QUESTDFG/KO 3798/1-

Spatial contributions of electron trajectories to high-order-harmonic radiation originating from a semi-infinite gas cell

We report on the analysis of the spatial beam profile of high-order harmonic radiation originating from a semi-infinite gas cell (SIGC). We experimentally assign contributions of electron trajectories to different spatial regions of the harmonic radiation beam. The angular divergence of the harmonic radiation is studied for the first time in a SIGC as a function of different phase-matching parameters. We relate the ratio of the dipole phase coefficients to the coherence time and divergence angle measurements. Simulations, including high-order-harmonic propagation, give further insight into the generation process and the influence of phase matching. The analysis reveals that the SIGC enables tuning of the cutoff frequency by altering the absorption of the generating medium.The authors thank Vasily V. Strelkov and Pascal Salie`res for valuable discussions and the Deutsche Forschungsge- meinschaft DFG and the Cluster of Excellence QUEST for financial support of this work. Carlos Hernández-García and Luis Plaja acknowledge support from Junta de Castilla y León (Consejería de Educación and Fondo Social Europeo) and Spanish MINECO (FIS2009-09522)

Tracking spectral shapes and temporal dynamics along a femtosecond filament

The spectral evolution of a high-intensity light channel formed by filamentation is investigated in a detailed experimental study. We also track the spatio-temporal dynamics by high-order harmonic generation along the filament. Both the spectral and temporal diagnostics are performed as a function of propagation distance, by extracting the light pulses directly from the hot filament core into vacuum via pinholes that terminate the nonlinear propagation. We compare the measured spectral shapes to simulations and analyze numerically the temporal dynamics inside the filament. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Phase matching of high-order harmonics in a semi-infinite gas cell

Phase matching of high-order harmonic generation is investigated experimentally for various parameters in a semi-infinite gas-cell (SIGC) geometry. The optimized harmonic yield is identified using two different noble gases (Xe and He) and its parameter dependence is studied in a systematic way. Beside the straightforward setup of the SIGC, this geometry promises a high photon flux due to a large interaction region. Moreover, since the experimental parameters within this cell are known accurately, direct comparison to simulations is performed. Spectral splitting and blueshift of high-order harmonics are observed. © 2009 The American Physical Society