Multi-Band Petahertz Currents Resolved via High Harmonic Generation Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper uses high harmonic generation spectroscopy to explore ultrafast electron dynamics in multi-band solids, revealing quantum interference effects and spectral caustics that map the band structure and electron-hole interactions at attosecond timescales.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to visualize and understand multi-band electron dynamics and quantum interference in solids using HHG spectroscopy.

Findings

Spectral caustics appear at zero electron-hole relative velocity.

Dynamical joint density of states maps onto HHG spectrum.

Visualization of unpopulated high conduction bands.

Abstract

Strong field driven electric currents in condensed matter systems open new frontiers in petahertz electronics. In this regime new challenges arise as the role of the band structure and the quantum nature of electron-hole dynamics have yet to be resolved. Here we reveal the underlying attosecond dynamics that dictates the temporal evolution of carriers in multi-band solid state systems, via high harmonic generation (HHG) spectroscopy. We demonstrate that when the electron-hole relative velocity approaches zero, enhanced quantum interference leads to the appearance of spectral caustics in the HHG spectrum. Introducing the role of the dynamical joint density of states (JDOS) we identify its direct mapping into the spectrum, exhibiting singularities at the spectral caustics. By probing these singularities, we visualize the structure of multiple unpopulated high conduction bands. Our results open a new path in the control and study of attosecond quasi-particle interactions within the field dressed band structure of crystals.