Harmonic generation in ablation plasmas of wide bandgap semiconductors

High-Order Harmonic Generation in Au Nanoparticle-Contained Plasmas

Gold nanoparticles (NPs) have a wide range of applications in various fields. Here, we present high-order nonlinear optical studies of the plasmas produced from ablation of Au bulk targets and Au NP films deposited on paper and glass substrates. Experimentally, we analyze high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from gold NPs-containing plasmas. The HHG is produced by 35-fs pulses at 800 and 400 nm, while the plasmas are produced by femtosecond (35 fs, 800 nm), picosecond (200 ps, 800 nm), and nanosecond (5 ns, 1064 nm) pulses, respectively. High-order harmonics produced from ablated Au NPs on paper were 40 times stronger than the HHG from that ablated from the Au bulk targets. Through molecular dynamic simulations, we investigate the formation of gold NPs during laser ablation of a metal surface under different conditions.

Nonlinear Optical Studies of Gold Nanoparticle Films

Gold films are widely used for different applications. We present the results of third- and high-order nonlinear optical studies of the thin films fabricated from Au nanoparticle solutions by spin-coating methods. These nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation of bulk gold in pure water using 200 ps, 800 nm pulses. The highest values of the nonlinear absorption coefficient (9 × 10-6 cm W-1), nonlinear refractive index (3 × 10-11 cm² W-1), and saturation intensity (1.3 × 1010 W cm-2) were achieved using 35 fs, 400 nm pulses. We also determined the relaxation time constants for transient absorption (220 fs and 1.6 ps) at 400 nm. The high-order harmonic generation was studied during propagation of 35 fs, 800 nm pulses through the plasma during the ablation of gold nanoparticle film and bulk gold. The highest harmonic cutoff (29th order) was observed in the plasma containing gold nanoparticles.

Effective high-order harmonic generation from metal sulfide quantum dots

In the past, common media for high-order harmonic generation (HHG) has been atoms and molecules. More recently, clusters, and nanoparticles have been introduced as HHG emitting media. Multi-particle media can enhance HHG yields but have more stringent requirements in determining the optimal parameters. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, the effective application of 1-3 nm metal sulfide quantum dots (QDs) for harmonic generation in the 20 - 115 nm extreme ultraviolet range. We report on the syntheses, ablation of Ag₂S, CdS, and ZnS QDs, and HHG from laser-produced plasmas by using single- and two-color pumps. We compare HHG efficiency from the ablated QDs to that of bulk metal sulfides and show a seven-fold increase in harmonic yields. Further, the study also allows us to understand the effects of QD-contained plasma spreading dynamics on HHG yield.

Observation of middle-sized metal clusters in femtosecond laser ablation plasmas through nonlinear optics

Femtosecond laser ablation of solids is known to produce ejection of material to a large extent composed of particles of nanometer dimensions for a broad variety of targets. This work explores the ultrashort laser ablation of metal targets (Ag, Cu, Al, Mn) through non-conventional diagnostics based on the nonlinear response of the transient medium created upon ablation. The full temporal mapping of the nonlinear response constitutes a useful flag that signals the abundance of clusters and nanoparticles in the plume. The use of this method for diagnosis has allowed us to perform direct observation of middle-sized aggregates that are extremely elusive with other techniques. Additionally, one crucial and seldom explored parameter in this context has been identified: the ablation laser spot size. Optimum conditions for overall nanoparticle generation as well as relative nanoparticle/cluster/atom ratios have been found.