Self-probing of Molecules with High Harmonic Generation

TL;DR

This paper reviews the molecular self-probing paradigm using high harmonic generation, highlighting its potential for observing ultrafast electronic dynamics in molecules with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of molecular self-probing via high harmonic generation and discusses theoretical and experimental methods, including molecular orbital tomography.

Findings

Demonstrates how HHG can probe electronic dynamics at attosecond and Ångström scales.

Explains the self-probing paradigm as a new approach for molecular imaging.

Provides insights into the methods for molecular orbital tomography.

Abstract

This tutorial presents the most important aspects of the molecular self-probing paradigm, which views the process of high harmonic generation as "a molecule being probed by one of its own electrons". Since the properties of the electron wavepacket acting as a probe allow a combination of attosecond and \AA ngstr\"om resolutions in measurements, this idea bears great potential for the observation, and possibly control, of ultrafast quantum dynamics in molecules at the electronic level. Theoretical as well as experimental methods and concepts at the basis of self-probing measurements are introduced. Many of these are discussed on the example of molecular orbital tomography.