Bitao Hu

Enhancement of the second plateau in solid high-order harmonic spectra by the two-color fields

We theoretically investigate high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from solids in two-color fields. It is found that under the premise of maintaining the same amplitude, the intensity of the second plateau can be enhanced by two to three orders in a proper two-color field compared with the result in the monochromatic field with the same frequency as the driving pulse of the two-color field. This can be attributed to the fact that most excited electrons can be driven to the top of the first conduction band due to the larger vector potential of the two-color fields, which leads to the higher electron population of upper conduction bands. Moreover, we also find that isolated attosecond pulses can be generated from solids by choosing a proper two-color field that allows the electrons to reach the top of the first conduction band only once. This work provides a promising method for extending the range of solid HHG spectra in experiments.

Theoretical study of the odd–even-order harmonic generation for asymmetric ions in non-Born–Oppenheimer approximation

We calculated the harmonic spectra generated from the asymmetric molecules of HD~+ and HeH~(2+). It is found that HD~+ 0produces only odd harmonics, while HeH~(2+) produces both odd and even harmonics. Further analysis reveals that for both HD~+ and HeH~(2+), the nuclear dipole acceleration can generate even harmonics, but it is three orders of magnitude lower than that of the electron. Hence, the electronic dipole acceleration dominates the harmonic generation. For HD~+, the electronic dipole acceleration only contributes to the generation of odd harmonics, but for HeH~(2+) it contributes to the generation of both odd and even harmonics. Besides, one concept of the broken degree of system-symmetry is proposed to explain the different odd-even property between the harmonic spectra of HD~+ and HeH~(2+).

Theoretical scheme for simultaneously observing forward-backward photoelectron holography.

Photoelectron angular momentum distribution of He+ driven by a few-cycle laser is investigated numerically. We simultaneously observe two dominant interference patterns with one shot of lasers by solving the 3D time-dependent Schrodinger equation. Analysis of a semiclassical model identifies these two interference patterns as two types of photoelectron holography. The interference pattern with Pz>0 is a type of forward rescattering holography, which comes from the interference between direct (reference) and rescattered (signal) forward electrons ionized in the same quarter-cycle. The interference pattern with Pz<0 is a type of backward rescattering holography, which comes from the interference between a direct electron ionized in the third quarter-cycle and rescattered backward electron ionized in the first quarter-cycle. Moreover, we propose a method to distinguish this backward rescattering holography and intracycle interference patterns of direct electrons.

Wavefront improvement in an injection-seeded soft x-ray laser based on a solid-target plasma amplifier

The wavefront of an injection-seeded soft x-ray laser beam generated by amplification of high-harmonic pulses in a λ=18.9 nm molybdenum plasma amplifier was measured by a Hartmann wavefront sensor with an accuracy of λ/32 root mean square (rms). A significant improvement in wavefront aberrations of 0.51±0.03λ rms to 0.23±0.01λ rms was observed as a function of plasma column length. The variation of wavefront characteristic as a function time delay between the injection of the seed and peak of soft x-ray amplifier pump was studied. The measurements were used to reconstruct the soft x-ray source and confirm its high peak brightness.

A redshift mechanism of high-order harmonics: Change of ionization energy

We theoretically study the high-order harmonic generation of H2+ and its isotopes beyond the Born-Oppenheimer dynamics. It is surprising that the spectral redshift can still be observed in high harmonic spectra of H2+ driven by a sinusoidal laser pulse in which the trailing (leading) edge of the laser pulse is nonexistent. The results confirm that this spectral redshift originates from the reduction in ionization energy between recombination time and ionization time, which is obviously different from the nonadiabatic spectral redshift induced by the falling edge of the laser pulse. Additionally, the improved instantaneous frequency of harmonics by considering the changeable ionization energy can deeply verify our results. Therefore, this new mechanism must be taken into account when one uses the nonadiabatic spectral redshift to retrieve the nuclear motion.

Wavelength dependence of electron localization of H-2(+) and its isotopomers in the UV-pump-probe scheme

The wavelength dependence of electron localization of H-2(+) and its isotopomers in the ultraviolet pump-probe scheme is investigated by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. By combining with a semiclassical method, an effective analytical formula expressed in the adiabatic representation is established to describe the localization probability with several zero crossings. A stable zone with respect to the laser intensity and carrier envelope phase is found at a relatively long probe wavelength. Finally, the critical probe wavelengths to reach at the stable zone are derived by using the three-dimensional model. Slower nuclear motion of heavier isotopomers leads to a longer critical wavelength.

Wavefront of seeded soft x-ray laser based on a solid-target plasma amplifier

An experiment was set up to measure the wavefront of an injection-seeded soft x-ray laser based on a solid-target plasma amplifier. The 43rd harmonic signal from a Ti:Sa laser was used to seed a molybdenum plasma amplifier operating in the λ=18.9 nm line of Ni-like Mo. A Hartmann wavefront senor with an accuracy of λ/32 rms at this wavelength was employed to measure the wavefront of both the high harmonics seed and the seeded soft x-ray lasers. A significant improvement in wavefront aberration from 0.51±0.04λ rms to 0.25±0.03λ rms was observed as a function of plasma column length. The variation of wavefront characteristic by the time delay between the injection of the seed and the peak of soft x-ray amplifier pump was studied in this paper.