Strong-Field Perspective on High-Harmonic Radiation from Bulk Solids

TL;DR

This paper presents a strong-field perspective on high-harmonic generation in bulk solids, modeling electrons as Wannier-Stark states under intense laser fields to explain the radiation mechanisms and predict attosecond pulse generation.

Contribution

It introduces a quasi-static strong-field model using Wannier-Stark states to describe high-harmonic generation in crystals, offering new insights into the underlying physics.

Findings

High-harmonic radiation frequencies are linked to energy differences of dressed states.

The radiation yield depends on inter-band and intra-band current matrix elements.

Attosecond pulses from solids are predicted under strong-field conditions.

Abstract

Mechanisms of high-harmonic generation from crystals are described by treating the electric field of a laser as a quasi-static strong field. Under the quasi-static electric field, electrons in periodic potentials form dressed states, known as Wannier-Stark states. The energy differences between the dressed states determine the frequencies of the radiation. The radiation yield is determined by the magnitudes of the inter-band and intra-band current matrix elements between the dressed states. The generation of attosecond pulses from solids is predicted. Ramifications for strong-field physics are discussed.