Diabatic Mechanisms of Higher-Order Harmonic Generation in Solid-State Materials under High-Intensity Electric Fields

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new theoretical framework for understanding higher-order harmonic generation in solids under high electric fields, emphasizing diabatic processes like Zener tunneling as key mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents a novel theoretical approach that validates Bloch theorem under intense fields and identifies diabatic processes as central to HHG in solids.

Findings

Diabatic processes are crucial for nonperturbative HHG mechanisms.

The framework confirms the role of Zener tunneling and semimetallization.

An extended simple man model explains HHG mechanisms.

Abstract

We theoretically investigate mechanisms of higher-order harmonic generation in solid-state materials under a high-intensity ac electric field. A new theoretical framework presented in this Letter holds the legitimacy of Bloch theorem even under the influence of the high-intensity electric field and provides an exact treatment of the diabatic processes of Bloch electrons. Utilizing this framework, we first discovered that the diabatic processes, namely, ac Zener tunneling and semimetallization of semiconductors, are key factors for nonperturbative mechanisms of HHG. These mechanisms are classified by the field intensity and could be understood by an extended simple man model based on an analogy between tunnel ionization in gaseous media and Zener tunneling in semiconductors. These conclusions would stimulate the universal understanding of HHG mechanisms in both atomic and solid cases.