Enhanced high-order harmonic generation from periodic potentials in inhomogeneous laser fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that spatially inhomogeneous laser fields in metallic nanostructures can significantly enhance high-order harmonic generation from solids, enabling broader spectra and intense attosecond pulses at lower laser intensities.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical approach showing how inhomogeneous fields boost HHG efficiency and spectral range in solid systems, opening new experimental possibilities.

Findings

Second plateau HHG intensity increased by 2-3 orders

Enhanced HHG yields at sub-damage threshold laser intensities

Potential to generate intense isolated attosecond pulses from solids

Abstract

We theoretically study high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from solid-phase systems in spatially inhomogeneous strong laser fields originated by resonant plasmons within a metallic nanostructure. The intensity of the second plateau in HHG may be enhanced by two-three orders and be comparable with the intensity of the first plateau. This is due to bigger transition probabilities to higher conduction bands. It provides us a practical way to increase the yields of HHG with laser intensity below the damage threshold. It presents a promising way to triple the range of HHG spectra in experimental measurements. It also allows to generate intense isolated attosecond pulse from solids driven by few-cycle laser fields.