Optimal attosecond pulses generation from oscillating plasma surfaces driven at relativistic intensity

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the plasma density gradient influences the generation of isolated attosecond pulses via laser-plasma interactions at relativistic intensities, identifying optimal gradient lengths for pulse quality.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of the optimal plasma density gradient lengths for attosecond pulse generation using particle-in-cell simulations under relativistic conditions.

Findings

Optimal gradient length near 0.2λ for high laser intensities.

Gradient steepness significantly affects harmonic generation.

Peak pulse intensity and duration depend on plasma gradient.

Abstract

The creation of attosecond pulses via laser-plasma interaction has been a subject of great scientific interest for more than three decades. This process is investigated by using particle-in-cell simulation with varying the plasma and laser parameters. The steepness of the density gradient at the plasma-vacuum interface is examined to see how this parameter affects the high-order harmonic generations and isolated-attosecond pulse creation. The optimal density gradient lengths $L$ are explored within the relativistic oscillating mirror mechanism. Although the ideal gradient lengths for the full width at half maximum and peak intensity of an isolated-attosecond pulse depend on the driving laser intensity independently, they are both found near $L$=0.2$\lambda$ for high laser intensities.