Spectral redshift in harmonic generation from plasma dynamics in the laser focus

Year: 2006

Authors: Brandi F., Giammanco F., Ubachs W.

Autors Affiliation: Physics Department, University of Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127-Pisa, Italy;
Laser Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract: High-precision spectral measurements on the 9th harmonic generated in xenon gas are compared with calculations of the plasma dynamics resulting from multiphoton ionization in the laser focus. For the regime of 300 ps pulses and above-saturation intensities a novel mechanism producing redshifts in the harmonics is uncovered and explained. Ions play a double role: the nonlinear susceptibility of the ions is decisive for the harmonic intensity, while their mutual repulsion and the associated increase of the index of refraction is identified as the cause of the redshift.

Journal/Review: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS

Volume: 96 (12)      Pages from: 123904-1  to: 123904-4

KeyWords: WATER WINDOW; X-RAYS; PULSES; INTENSE; LIGHT; GASES
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.123904