High-order harmonic generation from a thin film crystal perturbed by a quasi-static terahertz field
Abstract
Studies of laser-driven strong field processes subjected to a (quasi-)static field have been mainly confined to theory. Here we provide an experimental realization by introducing a bichromatic approach for high harmonic generation (HHG) in a dielectric that combines an intense 70 femtosecond duration mid-infrared driving field with a weak 2 picosecond period terahertz (THz) dressing field. We address the physics underlying the THz field induced static symmetry breaking and its consequences on the efficient production/suppression of even-/odd-order harmonics, and demonstrate the ability to probe the HHG dynamics via the modulation of the harmonic distribution. Moreover, we report a delay-dependent even-order harmonic frequency shift that is proportional to the time derivative of the THz field. This suggests a limitation of the static symmetry breaking interpretation and implies that the resultant attosecond bursts are aperiodic, thus providing a frequency domain probe of attosecond transients while opening opportunities in precise attosecond pulse shaping.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1038/s41467-023-38187-0
Entities
People
- Alexandra S. Landsman
- Bradford K. Talbert
- Cosmin I. Blaga
- Fengyuan Yang
- Lisa Ortmann
- Louis F. DiMauro
- Pierre Agostini
- Sha Li
- Yaguo Tang
- Yang Cheng
- Yu Hang Lai
- Zhou Wang
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Division of Materials Research
- National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences