1
|
Ouillé M, Kaur J, Cheng Z, Haessler S, Lopez-Martens R. Lightwave-controlled relativistic plasma mirrors. OPTICS LETTERS 2024; 49:4847-4850. [PMID: 39207979 DOI: 10.1364/ol.534255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
We report on attosecond-scale control of high-harmonic and fast electron emission from plasma mirrors driven by relativistic-intensity near-single-cycle light waves at a kHz repetition rate. By controlling the waveform of the intense light transient, we reproducibly form a sub-cycle temporal intensity gate at the plasma mirror surface, leading to the observation of extreme ultraviolet spectral continua, characteristic of isolated attosecond pulse (IAP) generation. We also observe the correlated emission of a waveform-dependent relativistic electron beam, paving the way toward fully lightwave-controlled dynamics of relativistic plasma mirrors.
Collapse
|
2
|
Timmis RJL, Paddock RW, Ouatu I, Lee J, Howard S, Atonga E, Ruskov RT, Martin H, Wang RHW, Aboushelbaya R, Leyen MWVD, Gumbrell E, Norreys PA. Attosecond and nano-Coulomb electron bunches via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10805. [PMID: 38734711 PMCID: PMC11088705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The commissioning of multi-petawatt class laser facilities around the world is gathering pace. One of the primary motivations for these investments is the acceleration of high-quality, low-emittance electron bunches. Here we explore the interaction of a high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse with a mass-limited dense target to produce MeV attosecond electron bunches in transmission and confirm with three-dimensional simulation that such bunches have low emittance and nano-Coulomb charge. We then perform a large parameter scan from non-relativistic laser intensities to the laser-QED regime and from the critical plasma density to beyond solid density to demonstrate that the electron bunch energies and the laser pulse energy absorption into the plasma can be quantitatively described via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism. These results have wide-ranging implications for future particle accelerator science and associated technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R J L Timmis
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK.
- John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RH, UK.
| | - R W Paddock
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - I Ouatu
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - J Lee
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - S Howard
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - E Atonga
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - R T Ruskov
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - H Martin
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - R H W Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - R Aboushelbaya
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | | | - E Gumbrell
- Plasma Physics Department, AWE, Aldermaston, RG7 4PR, UK
| | - P A Norreys
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
- John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li BY, Liu F, Chen M, Yuan XH, Sheng ZM, Zhang J. Spectral modulation of high-order harmonics in relativistic laser-solid interaction. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:025212. [PMID: 38491712 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.025212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Spectral modulation of high-order harmonics generated in relativistic laser-solid interaction is investigated. Numerical simulations show that the modulation depends on surface plasma density profile, resulting in spectral envelope modulation and regular and irregular harmonic splitting. The mathematical and physical connections between the spectral modulation of high-order harmonics and the temporal modification of attosecond pulse train are explained. Based on these understandings, we propose a possible method to produce isolated attosecond pulses by tailoring surface the plasma profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Y Li
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - F Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - M Chen
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - X H Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Z M Sheng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - J Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lamač M, Mima K, Nejdl J, Chaulagain U, Bulanov SV. Anomalous Relativistic Emission from Self-Modulated Plasma Mirrors. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:205001. [PMID: 38039469 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.205001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of intense laser pulses with plasma mirrors has demonstrated the ability to generate high-order harmonics, producing a bright source of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation and attosecond pulses. Here, we report an unexpected transition in this process. We show that the loss of spatiotemporal coherence in the reflected high harmonics can lead to a new regime of highly efficient coherent XUV generation, with an extraordinary property where the radiation is directionally anomalous, propagating parallel to the mirror surface. With analytical calculations and numerical particle-in-cell simulations, we discover that the radiation emission is due to laser-driven oscillations of relativistic electron nanobunches that originate from a plasma surface instability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Lamač
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnicí 835, Dolní Břežany 25241, Czechia
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 3, Prague 2, 12116, Czechia
| | - K Mima
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - J Nejdl
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnicí 835, Dolní Břežany 25241, Czechia
- Faculty of Nuclear Science and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, Prague 1, 11519, Czechia
| | - U Chaulagain
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnicí 835, Dolní Břežany 25241, Czechia
| | - S V Bulanov
- ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnicí 835, Dolní Břežany 25241, Czechia
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 8-1-7 Umemidai, Kizugawa, 619-0215 Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sundström A, Grech M, Pusztai I, Riconda C. Stimulated-Raman-scattering amplification of attosecond XUV pulses with pulse-train pumps and application to local in-depth plasma-density measurement. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:045208. [PMID: 36397490 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.045208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We present a scheme for amplifying an extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) seed isolated attosecond pulse via stimulated Raman scattering of a pulse-train pump. At sufficient seed and pump intensity, the amplification is nonlinear, and the amplitude of the seed pulse can reach that of the pump, one order of magnitude higher than the initial seed amplitude. In the linear amplification regime, we find that the spectral signature of the pump pulse train is imprinted on the spectrum of the amplified seed pulse. Since the spectral signature is imprinted with its frequency downshifted by the plasma frequency, it is possible to deduce the electron density in the region of interaction. This region can be of micrometer length scale longitudinally. By varying the delay between the seed and the pump, this scheme provides a local electron-density measurement inside solid-density plasmas that cannot be probed with optical frequencies, with micrometer resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andréas Sundström
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mickael Grech
- LULI, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, CEA, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, F-91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - István Pusztai
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Caterina Riconda
- LULI, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, CEA, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, F-75252 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mondal S, Shirozhan M, Choudhary S, Nelissen K, Tzallas P, Charalambidis D, Varjú K, Kahaly S. Intense isolated attosecond pulses from two-color few-cycle laser driven relativistic surface plasma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13668. [PMID: 35953509 PMCID: PMC9372060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17762-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrafast plasma dynamics play a pivotal role in the relativistic high harmonic generation, a phenomenon that can give rise to intense light fields of attosecond duration. Controlling such plasma dynamics holds key to optimize the relevant sub-cycle processes in the high-intensity regime. Here, we demonstrate that the optimal coherent combination of two intense ultrashort pulses centered at two-colors (fundamental frequency, [Formula: see text] and second harmonic, [Formula: see text]) can lead to an optimal shape in relativistic intensity driver field that yields such an extraordinarily sensitive control. Conducting a series of two-dimensional (2D) relativistic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations carried out for currently achievable laser parameters and realistic experimental conditions, we demonstrate that an appropriate combination of [Formula: see text] along with a precise delay control can lead to more than three times enhancement in the resulting high harmonic flux. Finally, the two-color multi-cycle field synthesized with appropriate delay and polarization can all-optically suppress several attosecond bursts while favourably allowing one burst to occur, leading to the generation of intense isolated attosecond pulses without the need of any sophisticated gating techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Mondal
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary.
| | - Mojtaba Shirozhan
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
- Institute of Physics, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Shivani Choudhary
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
| | - Kwinten Nelissen
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
| | - Paraskevas Tzallas
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser, 70013, Heraklion (Crete), Greece
| | - Dimitris Charalambidis
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser, 70013, Heraklion (Crete), Greece
- Department of Physics, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003, Heraklion (Crete), Greece
| | - Katalin Varjú
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary
- Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 9, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Subhendu Kahaly
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Wolfgang Sandner utca 3., Szeged, 6728, Hungary.
- Institute of Physics, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Szeged, 6720, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wei S, Wang Y, Yan X, Eliasson B. Ultrahigh-amplitude isolated attosecond pulses generated by a two-color laser pulse interacting with a microstructured target. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:025203. [PMID: 36109966 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.025203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A unique electron nanobunching mechanism using a two-color laser pulse interacting with a microstructured foil is proposed for directly generating ultraintense isolated attosecond pulses in the transmission direction without requiring extra filters and gating techniques. The unique nanobunching mechanism ensures that only one electron sheet contributes to the transmitted radiation. Accordingly, the generated attosecond pulses are unipolar and have durations at the full width at half-maximum about 5 attoseconds. The emitted ultrahigh-amplitude isolated attosecond pulses have intensities of up to ∼10^{21}W/cm^{2}, which are beyond the limitations of weak attosecond pulses generated by gas harmonics sources and may open a new regime of nonlinear attosecond studies. Unipolar pulses can be useful for probing ultrafast electron dynamics in matter via asymmetric manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhan Wei
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yunliang Wang
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xueqing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Laser Acceleration Innovation Center, Beijing 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Bengt Eliasson
- SUPA, Physics Department, John Anderson Building, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, Scotland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Q, Xu X, Wu Y, Yin Y, Zou D, Yu T. Efficient high-order harmonics generation from overdense plasma irradiated by a two-color co-rotating circularly polarized laser pulse. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:15470-15481. [PMID: 35473266 DOI: 10.1364/oe.459866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
High-order harmonics generated from the interaction between a two-color circularly polarized laser and overdense plasma is proposed analytically and investigated numerically. By mixing two circularly polarized lasers rotating in the same direction with different frequencies (ω0, 2ω0), the laser envelope is modulated to oscillate at the laser fundamental frequency while the peak intensity of each cycle becomes greater than that of the monochromatic light. This feature makes the plasma oscillate more violently and frequently under the striking of the two-color laser than the monochromatic one, thereby generating stronger harmonics and attosecond pulses. In addition, the incorporation of the 2ω0 light greatly expands the spectral width of harmonics, which facilitates the production of shorter attosecond pulses. Particle-in-cell simulations prove that under the same condition, the harmonic radiation efficiency in the two-color laser case can be improved by orders of magnitude, and isolated attosecond pulses can be even generated as a bonus in some cases.
Collapse
|
9
|
Stanfield M, Ott J, Gardner C, Beier NF, Farinella DM, Mancuso CA, Baldi P, Dollar F. Real-time reconstruction of high energy, ultrafast laser pulses using deep learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5299. [PMID: 35351923 PMCID: PMC8964819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a method for the phase reconstruction of an ultrashort laser pulse based on the deep learning of the nonlinear spectral changes induce by self-phase modulation. The neural networks were trained on simulated pulses with random initial phases and spectra, with pulse durations between 8.5 and 65 fs. The reconstruction is valid with moderate spectral resolution, and is robust to noise. The method was validated on experimental data produced from an ultrafast laser system, where near real-time phase reconstructions were performed. This method can be used in systems with known linear and nonlinear responses, even when the fluence is not known, making this method ideal for difficult to measure beams such as the high energy, large aperture beams produced in petawatt systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Stanfield
- STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - Jordan Ott
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Christopher Gardner
- STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Nicholas F Beier
- STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Deano M Farinella
- STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Christopher A Mancuso
- Department of Computational Mathematics Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - Franklin Dollar
- STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Quantum-Optical Spectrometry in Relativistic Laser–Plasma Interactions Using the High-Harmonic Generation Process: A Proposal. PHOTONICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/photonics8060192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Quantum-optical spectrometry is a recently developed shot-to-shot photon correlation-based method, namely using a quantum spectrometer (QS), that has been used to reveal the quantum optical nature of intense laser–matter interactions and connect the research domains of quantum optics (QO) and strong laser-field physics (SLFP). The method provides the probability of absorbing photons from a driving laser field towards the generation of a strong laser–field interaction product, such as high-order harmonics. In this case, the harmonic spectrum is reflected in the photon number distribution of the infrared (IR) driving field after its interaction with the high harmonic generation medium. The method was implemented in non-relativistic interactions using high harmonics produced by the interaction of strong laser pulses with atoms and semiconductors. Very recently, it was used for the generation of non-classical light states in intense laser–atom interaction, building the basis for studies of quantum electrodynamics in strong laser-field physics and the development of a new class of non-classical light sources for applications in quantum technology. Here, after a brief introduction of the QS method, we will discuss how the QS can be applied in relativistic laser–plasma interactions and become the driving factor for initiating investigations on relativistic quantum electrodynamics.
Collapse
|
11
|
Stanfield M, Beier NF, Hakimi S, Allison H, Farinella D, Hussein AE, Tajima T, Dollar F. Millijoule few-cycle pulses from staged compression for strong and high field science. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:9123-9136. [PMID: 33820346 DOI: 10.1364/oe.417404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intense few-cycle laser pulses have a breadth of applications in high energy density science, including particle acceleration and x-ray generation. Multi-amplifier laser system pulses have durations of tens of femtoseconds or longer. To achieve high intensities at the single-cycle limit, a robust and efficient post-compression scheme is required. We demonstrate a staged compression technique using self-phase modulation in thin dielectric media, in which few-cycle pulses can be produced. The few-cycle pulse is then used to generate extreme ultravoilet light via high harmonic generation at strong field intensities and to generate MeV electron beams via laser solid interactions at relativistic intensities.
Collapse
|
12
|
Jiang Y, Chen ZY, Liu Z, Cao L, Zheng C, Xie R, Chao Y, He X. Direct generation of relativistic isolated attosecond pulses in transmission from laser-driven plasmas. OPTICS LETTERS 2021; 46:1285-1288. [PMID: 33720168 DOI: 10.1364/ol.418144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Isolated attosecond pulses are useful to perform pump-probe experiments at a high temporal resolution, and provide a new tool for ultrafast metrology. However, it is still a challenging task to generate such pulses of high intensity, even for a few-cycle laser. Through particle-in-cell simulations, we show that it is possible to directly generate a giant isolated attosecond pulse in the transmission direction from relativistic laser-driven plasmas. Compared to attosecond pulse generation in the reflection direction, no further spectral filtering is needed. The underlying radiation mechanism is coherent synchrotron emission, and the transmitted isolated attosecond pulse can reach relativistic intensity. This provides a promising alternative to generate intense isolated attosecond pulses for ultrafast studies.
Collapse
|
13
|
Siminos E, Thiele I, Olofsson C. Laser Wakefield Driven Generation of Isolated Carrier-Envelope-Phase Tunable Intense Subcycle Pulses. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 126:044801. [PMID: 33576683 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.044801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sources of intense, ultrashort electromagnetic pulses enable applications such as attosecond pulse generation, control of electron motion in solids, and the observation of reaction dynamics at the electronic level. For such applications, both high intensity and carrier-envelope-phase (CEP) tunability are beneficial, yet hard to obtain with current methods. In this Letter, we present a new scheme for generation of isolated CEP tunable intense subcycle pulses with central frequencies that range from the midinfrared to the ultraviolet. It utilizes an intense laser pulse that drives a wake in a plasma, copropagating with a long-wavelength seed pulse. The moving electron density spike of the wake amplifies the seed and forms a subcycle pulse. Controlling the CEP of the seed pulse or the delay between driver and seed leads to CEP tunability, while frequency tunability can be achieved by adjusting the laser and plasma parameters. Our 2D and 3D particle-in-cell simulations predict laser-to-subcycle-pulse conversion efficiencies up to 1%, resulting in relativistically intense subcycle pulses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Siminos
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - I Thiele
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - C Olofsson
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang J, Bulanov SV, Chen M, Lei B, Zhang Y, Zagidullin R, Zorina V, Yu W, Leng Y, Li R, Zepf M, Rykovanov SG. Relativistic slingshot: A source for single circularly polarized attosecond x-ray pulses. Phys Rev E 2021; 102:061201. [PMID: 33466060 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.102.061201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We propose a mechanism to generate a single intense circularly polarized attosecond x-ray pulse from the interaction of a circularly polarized relativistic few-cycle laser pulse with an ultrathin foil at normal incidence. Analytical modeling and particle-in-cell simulation demonstrate that a huge charge-separation field can be produced when all the electrons are displaced from the target by the incident laser, resulting in a high-quality relativistic electron mirror that propagates against the tail of the laser pulse. The latter is efficiently reflected as well as compressed into an attosecond pulse that is also circularly polarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 201800, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Sergei V Bulanov
- Institute of Physics ASCR, v.v.i. (FZU), ELI-Beamlines Project, 182 21 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Min Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bifeng Lei
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Yuxue Zhang
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Rishat Zagidullin
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Veronika Zorina
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yuxin Leng
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Ruxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Matt Zepf
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sergey G Rykovanov
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lin J, Batson T, Nees J, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K. Towards isolated attosecond electron bunches using ultrashort-pulse laser-solid interactions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18354. [PMID: 33110187 PMCID: PMC7591899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate MeV-level attosecond electron bunches from ultrashort-pulse laser-solid interactions through similarities between experimental and simulated electron energy spectra. We show measurements of the bunch duration and temporal structure from particle-in-cell simulations. The experimental observation of such bunches favors specular reflection direction when focusing the laser pulse onto a subwavelength boundary of thick overdense plasmas at grazing incidence. Particle-in-cell simulation further reveals that the attosecond duration is a result of ultra-thin ([Formula: see text]tenth of a micron) gaps of zero electromagnetic energy density in the modulated reflected radiation, while the bunching (locally peaked electron concentration) comes from the highly-directional electron angular distribution acquired by the electrons in a grazing incidence setup. To isolate a single electron bunch, we perform simulations using 1-cycle laser pulses and analyze the effect of carrier-envelop phase with particle tracking. The duration of the electron bunch can be further decreased by increasing the laser intensity and the focal spot size, while its direction can be changed by tuning the preplasma density gradient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinpu Lin
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Thomas Batson
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - John Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Alexander G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Karl Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Edwards MR, Fasano NM, Mikhailova JM. Electron-Nanobunch-Width-Dominated Spectral Power Law for Relativistic Harmonic Generation from Ultrathin Foils. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:185004. [PMID: 32441983 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.185004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Relativistic high-order harmonic generation from solid-density plasma offers a compact source of coherent ultraviolet and x-ray light. For solid targets much thinner than the laser wavelength, the plasma thickness can be tuned to increase conversion efficiency; a reduction in total charge allows for balancing the laser and plasma driving forces, producing the most effective interaction. Unlike for semi-infinite plasma surfaces, we find that for ultrathin foil targets the dominant factor in the emission spectral shape is the finite width of the electron nanobunches, leading to a power-law exponent of approximately 10/3. Ultrathin foils produce higher-efficiency frequency conversion than solid targets for moderately relativistic (1<a_{0}<40) interactions and also provide unique insight into how the trajectories of individual electrons combine and interfere to generate reflected attosecond pulses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Edwards
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - Nicholas M Fasano
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Julia M Mikhailova
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang Y, Zille D, Hoff D, Wustelt P, Würzler D, Möller M, Sayler AM, Paulus GG. Observing the Importance of the Phase-Volume Effect for Few-Cycle Light-Matter Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:133202. [PMID: 32302186 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.133202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The spatially dependent phase distribution of focused few-cycle pulses, i.e., the focal phase, is much more complex than the well-known Gouy phase of monochromatic beams. As the focal phase is imprinted on the carrier-envelope phase (CEP), for accurate modeling and interpretation of CEP-dependent few-cycle laser-matter interactions, both the coupled spatially dependent phase and intensity distributions must be taken into account. In this Letter, we demonstrate the significance of the focal phase effect via comparison of measurements and simulations of CEP-dependent photoelectron spectra. Moreover, we demonstrate the impact of this effect on few-cycle light-matter interactions as a function of their nonlinear intensity dependence to answer the general question: if, when, and how much should one be concerned about the focal phase?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinyu Zhang
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Danilo Zille
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Dominik Hoff
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Wustelt
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Daniel Würzler
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Max Möller
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - A M Sayler
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerhard G Paulus
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Edwards MR, Mikhailova JM. The X-Ray Emission Effectiveness of Plasma Mirrors: Reexamining Power-Law Scaling for Relativistic High-Order Harmonic Generation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5154. [PMID: 32198482 PMCID: PMC7083899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61255-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrashort pulsed lasers provide uniquely detailed access to the ultrafast dynamics of physical, chemical, and biological systems, but only a handful of wavelengths are directly produced by solid-state lasers, necessitating efficient high-power frequency conversion. Relativistic plasma mirrors generate broadband power-law spectra, that may span the gap between petawatt-class infrared laser facilities and x-ray free-electron lasers; despite substantial theoretical work the ultimate efficiency of this relativistic high-order-harmonic generation remains unclear. We show that the coherent radiation emitted by plasma mirrors follows a power-law distribution of energy over frequency with an exponent that, even in the ultrarelativistic limit, strongly depends on the ratio of laser intensity to plasma density and exceeds the frequently quoted value of -8/3 over a wide range of parameters. The coherent synchrotron emission model, when adequately corrected for the finite width of emitting electron bunches, is not just valid for p-polarized light and thin foil targets, but generally describes relativistic harmonic generation, including at normal incidence and with finite-gradient plasmas. Our numerical results support the ω-4/3 scaling of the synchrotron emission model as a limiting efficiency of the process under most conditions. The highest frequencies that can be generated with this scaling are usually restricted by the width of the emitting electron bunch rather than the Lorentz factor of the fastest electrons. The theoretical scaling relations developed here suggest, for example, that with a 20-PW 800-nm driving laser, 1 TW/harmonic can be produced for 1-keV photons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Edwards
- Princeton University, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA.
| | - Julia M Mikhailova
- Princeton University, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang YX, Rykovanov S, Shi M, Zhong CL, He XT, Qiao B, Zepf M. Giant Isolated Attosecond Pulses from Two-Color Laser-Plasma Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:114802. [PMID: 32242678 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.114802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A new regime in the interaction of a two-color (ω,2ω) laser with a nanometer-scale foil is identified, resulting in the emission of extremely intense, isolated attosecond pulses-even in the case of multicycle lasers. For foils irradiated by lasers exceeding the blow-out field strength (i.e., capable of fully separating electrons from the ion background), the addition of a second harmonic field results in the stabilization of the foil up to the blow-out intensity. This is then followed by a sharp transition to transparency that essentially occurs in a single optical cycle. During the transition cycle, a dense, nanometer-scale electron bunch is accelerated to relativistic velocities and emits a single, strong attosecond pulse with a peak intensity approaching that of the laser field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y X Zhang
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, SKLNPT, and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - S Rykovanov
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - C L Zhong
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, SKLNPT, and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - X T He
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, SKLNPT, and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing 100094, China
| | - B Qiao
- Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, SKLNPT, and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - M Zepf
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gao J, Li B, Liu F, Chen ZY, Chen M, Ge X, Yuan X, Chen L, Sheng Z, Zhang J. Divergence control of relativistic harmonics by an optically shaped plasma surface. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:033202. [PMID: 32289989 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.033202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The unique spatial and temporal properties of relativistic high harmonics generated from a laser-driven plasma surface allow them to be coherently focused to an extremely high intensity reaching the Schwinger limit. The ultimately achievable intensity is limited by the harmonic wavefront distortions during the interactions. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the harmonic divergence can be controlled by an optically shaped plasma surface with a prepulse that has the same spatial and temporal distribution as the main laser pulse. Simulations are also performed to explain the experimental observation, and we find that the harmonic wavefront curvature from a dented surface can be precompensated by a convex plasma. Our work suggests an active approach to control the harmonic divergence and wavefront by an optically shaped target. This can be critical for further high harmonics applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Boyuan Li
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zi-Yu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Shock Wave and Detonation Physics, Institute of Fluid Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621999, China.,Key Laboratory of High Energy Density Physics and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Min Chen
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xulei Ge
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaohui Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Liming Chen
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhengming Sheng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom.,Cockcroft Institute, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Cheshire WA4 4AD, United Kingdom.,Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li BY, Liu F, Chen M, Chen ZY, Yuan XH, Weng SM, Jin T, Rykovanov SG, Wang JW, Sheng ZM, Zhang J. High-quality high-order harmonic generation through preplasma truncation. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:053207. [PMID: 31869902 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.053207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
By introducing preplasma truncation to cases with an initial preplasma scale length larger than 0.2λ, the efficiency of high-order harmonics generated from relativistic laser-solid interactions can be enhanced by more than one order of magnitude and the angular spread can be confined into near-diffraction-limited divergence. Numerical simulations show that density truncation results in more compact oscillation of the surface electron sheet and the curvature of the reflection surface for the driving laser is greatly reduced. This leads to an overall improvement in the harmonic beam quality. More importantly, density truncation makes the harmonic generation weakly dependent on the preplasma scale length, which provides a way to relax the extremely high requirement on the temporal contrast of the driving laser pulse. A feasible scheme to realize the required preplasma truncation is also proposed and demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Y Li
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - F Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - M Chen
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Z Y Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Shock Wave and Detonation Physics, Institute of Fluid Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621999, China
| | - X H Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - S M Weng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - T Jin
- Zhiyuan College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - S G Rykovanov
- Center for Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - J W Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Z M Sheng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - J Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Intense attosecond pulses carrying orbital angular momentum using laser plasma interactions. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5554. [PMID: 31804472 PMCID: PMC6895158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Light beams with helical phase-fronts are known to carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) and provide an additional degree of freedom to beams of coherent light. While OAM beams can be readily derived from Gaussian laser beams with phase plates or gratings, this is far more challenging in the extreme ultra-violet (XUV), especially for the case of high XUV intensity. Here, we theoretically and numerically demonstrate that intense surface harmonics carrying OAM are naturally produced by the intrinsic dynamics of a relativistically intense circularly-polarized Gaussian beam (i.e. non-vortex) interacting with a target at normal incidence. Relativistic surface oscillations convert the laser pulses to intense XUV harmonic radiation via the well-known relativistic oscillating mirror mechanism. We show that the azimuthal and radial dependence of the harmonic generation process converts the spin angular momentum of the laser beam to orbital angular momentum resulting in an intense attosecond pulse (or pulse train) with OAM. Vortices in light fields are of growing importance in the XUV and X-ray ranges. Here the authors show by simulations that high harmonics and attosecond pulses, generated while irradiating a deformed thin foil with circularly-polarized Gaussian laser pulses, carry a well-defined orbital angular momentum.
Collapse
|
23
|
Spectral interferometry with waveform-dependent relativistic high-order harmonics from plasma surfaces. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4992. [PMID: 30478336 PMCID: PMC6255866 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of ultra-intense laser pulses with matter opened the way to generate the shortest light pulses available nowadays in the attosecond regime. Ionized solid surfaces, also called plasma mirrors, are promising tools to enhance the potential of attosecond sources in terms of photon energy, photon number and duration especially at relativistic laser intensities. Although the production of isolated attosecond pulses and the understanding of the underlying interactions represent a fundamental step towards the realization of such sources, these are challenging and have not yet been demonstrated. Here, we present laser-waveform-dependent high-order harmonic radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range supporting well-isolated attosecond pulses, and utilize spectral interferometry to understand its relativistic generation mechanism. This unique interpretation of the measured spectra provides access to unrevealed temporal and spatial properties such as spectral phase difference between attosecond pulses and field-driven plasma surface motion during the process. High-order harmonic generation is explored in gases, solids and plasmas with moderate to high intensity lasers. Here the authors show spectral interferometry of HHG from relativistic plasma and its potential as a source of intense isolated attosecond pulses.
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen ZY. Isolated attosecond pulse in the water window from many-cycle laser-driven plasma mirrors without pulse engineering. OPTICS LETTERS 2018; 43:2114-2117. [PMID: 29714759 DOI: 10.1364/ol.43.002114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
High-order harmonic generation from relativistic laser-driven plasma mirrors is an attractive route to produce highly energetic attosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet to x-ray regime. To achieve an isolated attosecond pulse (IAP) driven by many-cycle intense laser pulses, pulse engineering techniques such as polarization modulation and wavefront rotation, are usually needed. Here we show that it is possible to generate an IAP without pulse engineering. Through particle-in-cell simulations, it is found that plasma mirrors can be rapidly heated and deformed in a relatively long preplasma regime. Intense IAP in the high-frequency spectral region is given rise once when the mirror parameters are suitable. The results may offer a new route to generate a bright IAP source for various applications such as bio-imaging and electronic dynamic studies.
Collapse
|
25
|
Chen ZY, Li XY, Li BY, Chen M, Liu F. Isolated elliptically polarized attosecond soft X-ray with high-brilliance using polarization gating of harmonics from relativistic plasmas at oblique incidence. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:4572-4580. [PMID: 29475306 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.004572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The production of intense isolated attosecond pulse is a major goal in ultrafast research. Recent advances in high harmonic generation from relativistic plasma mirrors under oblique incidence interactions gave rise to photon-rich attosecond pulses with circular or elliptical polarization. However, to achieve an isolated elliptical attosecond pulse via polarization gating using currently available long driving pulses remains a challenge, because polarization gating of high harmonics from relativistic plasmas is assumed only possible at normal or near-normal incidence. Here we numerically demonstrate a scheme around this problem. We show that via control of plasma dynamics by managing laser polarization, it is possible to gate an intense single attosecond pulse with high ellipticity extending to the soft X-ray regime at oblique incidence. This approach thus paves the way towards a powerful tool enabling high-time-resolution probe of dynamics of chiral systems and magnetic materials with current laser technology.
Collapse
|
26
|
Leblanc A, Monchocé S, Vincenti H, Kahaly S, Vay JL, Quéré F. Spatial Properties of High-Order Harmonic Beams from Plasma Mirrors: A Ptychographic Study. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2017; 119:155001. [PMID: 29077449 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.119.155001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Spatial properties of high-order harmonic beams produced by high-intensity laser-matter interactions carry rich information on the physics of the generation process, and their detailed understanding is essential for applications of these light beams. We present a thorough study of these properties in the case of harmonic generation from plasma mirrors, up to the relativistic interaction regime. In situ ptychographic measurements of the amplitude and phase spatial profiles of the different harmonic orders in the target plane are presented, as a function of the key interaction parameters. These measurements are used to validate analytical models of the harmonic spatial phase in different generation regimes, and to benchmark ultrahigh-order Maxwell solvers of particle-in-cell simulation codes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Leblanc
- LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91 191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - S Monchocé
- LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91 191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - H Vincenti
- LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91 191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - S Kahaly
- LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91 191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - J-L Vay
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - F Quéré
- LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91 191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang G, Chen M, Liu F, Yuan X, Weng S, Zheng J, Ma Y, Shao F, Sheng Z, Zhang J. Directional enhancement of selected high-order-harmonics from intense laser irradiated blazed grating targets. OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 25:23567-23578. [PMID: 29041308 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.023567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Relativistically intense laser solid target interaction has been proved to be a promising way to generate high-order harmonics, which can be used to diagnose ultrafast phenomena. However, their emission direction and spectra still lack tunability. Based upon two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we show that directional enhancement of selected high-order-harmonics can be realized using blazed grating targets. Such targets can select harmonics with frequencies being integer times of the grating frequency. Meanwhile, the radiation intensity and emission area of the harmonics are increased. The emission direction is controlled by tailoring the local blazed structure. Theoretical and electron dynamics analysis for harmonics generation, selection and directional enhancement from the interaction between multi-cycle laser and grating target are carried out. These studies will benefit the generation and application of laser plasma-based high order harmonics.
Collapse
|
28
|
Rivas DE, Borot A, Cardenas DE, Marcus G, Gu X, Herrmann D, Xu J, Tan J, Kormin D, Ma G, Dallari W, Tsakiris GD, Földes IB, Chou SW, Weidman M, Bergues B, Wittmann T, Schröder H, Tzallas P, Charalambidis D, Razskazovskaya O, Pervak V, Krausz F, Veisz L. Next Generation Driver for Attosecond and Laser-plasma Physics. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5224. [PMID: 28701692 PMCID: PMC5507917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05082-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation and manipulation of electron dynamics in matter call for attosecond light pulses, routinely available from high-order harmonic generation driven by few-femtosecond lasers. However, the energy limitation of these lasers supports only weak sources and correspondingly linear attosecond studies. Here we report on an optical parametric synthesizer designed for nonlinear attosecond optics and relativistic laser-plasma physics. This synthesizer uniquely combines ultra-relativistic focused intensities of about 1020 W/cm2 with a pulse duration of sub-two carrier-wave cycles. The coherent combination of two sequentially amplified and complementary spectral ranges yields sub-5-fs pulses with multi-TW peak power. The application of this source allows the generation of a broad spectral continuum at 100-eV photon energy in gases as well as high-order harmonics in relativistic plasmas. Unprecedented spatio-temporal confinement of light now permits the investigation of electric-field-driven electron phenomena in the relativistic regime and ultimately the rise of next-generation intense isolated attosecond sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D E Rivas
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany. .,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany. .,ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss, 3, 08860, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - A Borot
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules, CEA, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - D E Cardenas
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - G Marcus
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Department of Applied Physics, Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - X Gu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - D Herrmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - J Xu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), P. O. Box 800-211, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - J Tan
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - D Kormin
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - G Ma
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), P. O. Box 800-211, Shanghai, 201800, China.,Peking University Shenzhen SOC Key Laboratory, PKU-HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institution, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - W Dallari
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - G D Tsakiris
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - I B Földes
- Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Association EURATOM HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - S-W Chou
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - M Weidman
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - B Bergues
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - T Wittmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - H Schröder
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - P Tzallas
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, PO Box 1527, GR-711 10, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - D Charalambidis
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, PO Box 1527, GR-711 10, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - O Razskazovskaya
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - V Pervak
- Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - F Krausz
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Am Couloumbwall 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - L Veisz
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann Strasse 1, 85748, Garching, Germany. .,Department of Physics, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Tang S, Kumar N, Keitel CH. Plasma high-order-harmonic generation from ultraintense laser pulses. Phys Rev E 2017; 95:051201. [PMID: 28618496 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.95.051201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plasma high-order-harmonic generation from an extremely intense short-pulse laser is explored by including the effects of ion motion, electron-ion collisions, and radiation reaction force in the plasma dynamics. The laser radiation pressure induces plasma ion motion through the hole-boring effect, resulting in frequency shifting and widening of the harmonic spectra. The classical radiation reaction force slightly mitigates the frequency broadening caused by the ion motion. Based on the results and physical considerations, parameter maps highlighting the optimum regions for generating a single intense attosecond pulse and coherent XUV radiation are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suo Tang
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
|
31
|
Edwards MR, Mikhailova JM. Waveform-Controlled Relativistic High-Order-Harmonic Generation. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2016; 117:125001. [PMID: 27689281 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.117.125001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We consider the efficiency limit of relativistic high-order-harmonic emission from solid targets achievable with tailored light fields. Using one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, the maximum energy conversion efficiency is shown to reach as high as 10% for the harmonics in the range of 80-200 eV and is largely independent of laser intensity and plasma density. The waveforms most effective at driving harmonics have a broad spectrum with a lower-frequency limit set by the width of the incident pulse envelope and an upper limit set by the relativistic plasma frequency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Edwards
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Julia M Mikhailova
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Bocoum M, Thévenet M, Böhle F, Beaurepaire B, Vernier A, Jullien A, Faure J, Lopez-Martens R. Anticorrelated Emission of High Harmonics and Fast Electron Beams From Plasma Mirrors. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2016; 116:185001. [PMID: 27203328 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.116.185001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We report for the first time on the anticorrelated emission of high-order harmonics and energetic electron beams from a solid-density plasma with a sharp vacuum interface-plasma mirror-driven by an intense ultrashort laser pulse. We highlight the key role played by the nanoscale structure of the plasma surface during the interaction by measuring the spatial and spectral properties of harmonics and electron beams emitted by a plasma mirror. We show that the nanoscale behavior of the plasma mirror can be controlled by tuning the scale length of the electron density gradient, which is measured in situ using spatial-domain interferometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maïmouna Bocoum
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Maxence Thévenet
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Frederik Böhle
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Benoît Beaurepaire
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Aline Vernier
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Aurélie Jullien
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Faure
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Rodrigo Lopez-Martens
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, 828 bd des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kessel A, Trushin SA, Karpowicz N, Skrobol C, Klingebiel S, Wandt C, Karsch S. Generation of multi-octave spanning high-energy pulses by cascaded nonlinear processes in BBO. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:5628-5637. [PMID: 29092384 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.005628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We present the generation of optical pulses with a spectral range of 500-2400 nm and energies up to 10 µJ at 1 kHz repetition rate by cascaded second-order nonlinear interaction of few-cycle pulses in beta-barium borate (BBO). Numerical simulations with a 1D+time split-step model are performed to explain the experimental findings. The large bandwidth and smooth spectral amplitude of the resulting pulses make them an ideal seed for ultra-broadband optical parametric chirped pulse amplification and an attractive source for spectroscopic applications.
Collapse
|
34
|
Yeung M, Bierbach J, Eckner E, Rykovanov S, Kuschel S, Sävert A, Förster M, Rödel C, Paulus GG, Cousens S, Coughlan M, Dromey B, Zepf M. Noncollinear Polarization Gating of Attosecond Pulse Trains in the Relativistic Regime. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 115:193903. [PMID: 26588384 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.115.193903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
High order harmonics generated at relativistic intensities have long been recognized as a route to the most powerful extreme ultraviolet pulses. Reliably generating isolated attosecond pulses requires gating to only a single dominant optical cycle, but techniques developed for lower power lasers have not been readily transferable. We present a novel method to temporally gate attosecond pulse trains by combining noncollinear and polarization gating. This scheme uses a split beam configuration which allows pulse gating to be implemented at the high beam fluence typical of multi-TW to PW class laser systems. Scalings for the gate width demonstrate that isolated attosecond pulses are possible even for modest pulse durations achievable for existing and planned future ultrashort high-power laser systems. Experimental results demonstrating the spectral effects of temporal gating on harmonic spectra generated by a relativistic laser plasma interaction are shown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Yeung
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - J Bierbach
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - E Eckner
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Rykovanov
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Kuschel
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - A Sävert
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - M Förster
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - C Rödel
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - G G Paulus
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Cousens
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - M Coughlan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - B Dromey
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - M Zepf
- Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Edwards MR, Platonenko VT, Mikhailova JM. Enhanced attosecond bursts of relativistic high-order harmonics driven by two-color fields. OPTICS LETTERS 2014; 39:6823-6826. [PMID: 25503006 DOI: 10.1364/ol.39.006823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We study the generation of attosecond x-ray and ultraviolet pulses from relativistically driven overdense plasma targets with two-color incident light. Particle-in-cell simulations show that significant improvement in pulse intensity and isolation is achievable with appropriate laser and plasma parameters. Conversion of 5% of incident laser energy to its second harmonic can enhance the intensity of generated attosecond pulses by an order of magnitude. This approach allows the generation of higher attosecond pulse intensities with existing experimental laser technology and offers a powerful tool for the analysis of the dynamics of relativistic laser-plasma interaction.
Collapse
|
36
|
Jullien A, Ricci A, Böhle F, Rousseau JP, Grabielle S, Forget N, Jacqmin H, Mercier B, Lopez-Martens R. Carrier-envelope-phase stable, high-contrast, double chirped-pulse-amplification laser system. OPTICS LETTERS 2014; 39:3774-3777. [PMID: 24978734 DOI: 10.1364/ol.39.003774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We present the first carrier-envelope-phase stable chirped-pulse amplifier (CPA) featuring high temporal contrast for relativistic intensity laser-plasma interactions at 1 kHz repetition rate. The laser is based on a double-CPA architecture including cross-polarized wave (XPW) filtering technique and a high-energy grism-based compressor. The 8 mJ, 22 fs pulses feature 10⁻¹¹ temporal contrast at -20 ps and a carrier-envelope-phase drift of 240 mrad root mean square.
Collapse
|
37
|
Chen ZY, Li XY, Chen LM, Li YT, Zhu WJ. Intense isolated few-cycle attosecond XUV pulses from overdense plasmas driven by tailored laser pulses. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:14803-14811. [PMID: 24977575 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.014803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A new scheme to generate an intense isolated few-cycle attosecond XUV pulse is demonstrated using particle-in-cell simulations. By use of unipolarlike or subcycle laser pulses irradiating a thin foil target, a strong transverse net current can be excited, which emits a few-cycle XUV pulse from the target rear side. The isolated pulse is ultrashort in the time domain with duration of several hundred attoseconds. The pulse also has a narrow bandwidth in the spectral domain compared to other XUV sources of high-order harmonics. It has most energy confined around the plasma frequency and no low-harmonic orders below the plasma frequency. It is also shown that XUV pulse of peak field strength up to 8 × 10(12) Vm(-1) can be produced. Without the need for pulse selecting and spectral filtering, such an intense few-cycle XUV pulse is better suited to a number of applications.
Collapse
|
38
|
Jin C, Wang G, Wei H, Le AT, Lin CD. Waveforms for optimal sub-keV high-order harmonics with synthesized two- or three-colour laser fields. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4003. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
39
|
Yeung M, Dromey B, Cousens S, Dzelzainis T, Kiefer D, Schreiber J, Bin JH, Ma W, Kreuzer C, Meyer-ter-Vehn J, Streeter MJV, Foster PS, Rykovanov S, Zepf M. Dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission efficiency on pulse ellipticity and implications for polarization gating. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 112:123902. [PMID: 24724650 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.112.123902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The polarization dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission transmitted through thin foils is investigated experimentally. The harmonic generation process is seen to be almost completely suppressed for circular polarization opening up the possibility of producing isolated attosecond pulses via polarization gating. Particle-in-cell simulations suggest that current laser pulses are capable of generating isolated attosecond pulses with high pulse energies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Yeung
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - B Dromey
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - S Cousens
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - T Dzelzainis
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - D Kiefer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - J Schreiber
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - J H Bin
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - W Ma
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - C Kreuzer
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - J Meyer-ter-Vehn
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - M J V Streeter
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | - P S Foster
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - S Rykovanov
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - M Zepf
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom and Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Borot A, Douillet D, Iaquaniello G, Lefrou T, Audebert P, Geindre JP, Lopez-Martens R. High repetition rate plasma mirror device for attosecond science. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2014; 85:013104. [PMID: 24517742 DOI: 10.1063/1.4860035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This report describes an active solid target positioning device for driving plasma mirrors with high repetition rate ultra-high intensity lasers. The position of the solid target surface with respect to the laser focus is optically monitored and mechanically controlled on the nm scale to ensure reproducible interaction conditions for each shot at arbitrary repetition rate. We demonstrate the target capabilities by driving high-order harmonic generation from plasma mirrors produced on glass targets with a near-relativistic intensity few-cycle pulse laser system operating at 1 kHz. During experiments, residual target surface motion can be actively stabilized down to 47 nm (root mean square), which ensures sub-300-as relative temporal stability of the plasma mirror as a secondary source of coherent attosecond extreme ultraviolet radiation in pump-probe experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Borot
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA-ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7639, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| | - D Douillet
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA-ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7639, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| | - G Iaquaniello
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA-ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7639, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| | - T Lefrou
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA-ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7639, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| | - P Audebert
- Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France
| | - J-P Geindre
- Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France
| | - R Lopez-Martens
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA-ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7639, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Guggenmos A, Rauhut R, Hofstetter M, Hertrich S, Nickel B, Schmidt J, Gullikson EM, Seibald M, Schnick W, Kleineberg U. Aperiodic CrSc multilayer mirrors for attosecond water window pulses. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:21728-21740. [PMID: 24104067 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.021728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Extending single attosecond pulse technology from currently sub-200 eV to the so called 'water window' spectral range may enable for the first time the unique investigation of ultrafast electronic processes within the core states of bio-molecules as proteins or other organic materials. Aperiodic multilayer mirrors serve as key components to shape these attosecond pulses with a high degree of freedom and enable tailored short pulse pump-probe experiments. Here, we report on chirped CrSc multilayer mirrors, fabricated by ion beam deposition with sub-angstrom precision, designed for attosecond pulse shaping in the 'water window' spectral range.
Collapse
|
42
|
Kahaly S, Monchocé S, Vincenti H, Dzelzainis T, Dromey B, Zepf M, Martin P, Quéré F. Direct observation of density-gradient effects in harmonic generation from plasma mirrors. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 110:175001. [PMID: 23679738 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.175001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
High-order harmonics and attosecond pulses of light can be generated when ultraintense, ultrashort laser pulses reflect off a solid-density plasma with a sharp vacuum interface, i.e., a plasma mirror. We demonstrate experimentally the key influence of the steepness of the plasma-vacuum interface on the interaction, by measuring the spectral and spatial properties of harmonics generated on a plasma mirror whose initial density gradient scale length L is continuously varied. Time-resolved interferometry is used to separately measure this scale length.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kahaly
- Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Yeung M, Dromey B, Adams D, Cousens S, Hörlein R, Nomura Y, Tsakiris GD, Zepf M. Beaming of high-order harmonics generated from laser-plasma interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 110:165002. [PMID: 23679609 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.165002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Beam divergences of high-order extreme ultraviolet harmonics from intense laser interactions with steep plasma density gradients are studied through experiment and Fourier analysis of the harmonic spatial phase. We show that while emission due to the relativistically oscillating mirror mechanism can be explained by ponderomotive surface denting, in agreement with previous results, the divergence of the emission due to the coherent wake emission mechanism requires a combination of the dent phase and an intrinsic emission phase. The temporal dependence of the divergences for both mechanisms is highlighted while it is also shown that the coherent wake emission divergence can be small in circumstances where the phase terms compensate each other.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Yeung
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Front-End Light Source for aWaveform-Controlled High-Contrast Few-Cycle Laser System for High-Repetition Rate Relativistic Optics. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/app3010314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
45
|
Hort O, Dubrouil A, Fourcade-Dutin C, Petit S, Mével E, Descamps D, Constant E. Terawatt Post compression of high energy fs pulses using ionization: A way to overcome the conventional limitation in energy of few optical cycle pulses. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2013. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20134110021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
46
|
Rödel C, an der Brügge D, Bierbach J, Yeung M, Hahn T, Dromey B, Herzer S, Fuchs S, Pour AG, Eckner E, Behmke M, Cerchez M, Jäckel O, Hemmers D, Toncian T, Kaluza MC, Belyanin A, Pretzler G, Willi O, Pukhov A, Zepf M, Paulus GG. Harmonic generation from relativistic plasma surfaces in ultrasteep plasma density gradients. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 109:125002. [PMID: 23005951 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.109.125002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Harmonic generation in the limit of ultrasteep density gradients is studied experimentally. Observations reveal that, while the efficient generation of high order harmonics from relativistic surfaces requires steep plasma density scale lengths (L(p)/λ < 1), the absolute efficiency of the harmonics declines for the steepest plasma density scale length L(p)→0, thus demonstrating that near-steplike density gradients can be achieved for interactions using high-contrast high-intensity laser pulses. Absolute photon yields are obtained using a calibrated detection system. The efficiency of harmonics reflected from the laser driven plasma surface via the relativistic oscillating mirror was estimated to be in the range of 10(-4)-10(-6) of the laser pulse energy for photon energies ranging from 20-40 eV, with the best results being obtained for an intermediate density scale length.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Rödel
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|