Optimized plasma high harmonics generation from ultra-intense laser pulses

TL;DR

This paper investigates how ultra-intense laser pulses generate high harmonics in plasma, considering ion motion, collisions, and radiation reaction, to optimize conditions for producing intense attosecond pulses and coherent XUV radiation.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model including ion motion, collisions, and radiation reaction effects to optimize plasma high harmonic generation with ultra-intense lasers.

Findings

Ion motion causes frequency shifting and spectral broadening.

Radiation reaction slightly reduces spectral broadening.

Parameter maps identify optimal conditions for attosecond pulse generation.

Abstract

Plasma high harmonics 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 into the frequency shifting and widening of the harmonic spectra. Classical radiation reaction force slightly mitigates the frequency broadening caused by the ion motion. Based on the results and physical considerations, parameter maps highlighting optimum regions for generating a single intense attosecond pulse and coherent XUV radiations are presented.