KeV High Harmonic Generation Enhanced by Mid-IR Surface Plasmon
Abstract
High harmonic generation using plasmon enhanced field has been recently demonstrated using Ti:Sapphire lasers centered at 800 nm wavelength. The maximum photon energy reached, 67 eV, is too low for laboratory simulating the effects of nuclear weapon-generated cold X-rays. However, the mechanism of high harmonic generation predicts that the maximum photon energy scales with the wavelength squared of the driving laser. The prediction has been confirmed experimentally in cells. We propose to use lasers with longer center wavelengths to generate high harmonics in sub-laser-wavelength plasmonic structures to achieve 100 eV to 1 keV photon energy. The wavelength cubed scaling of the active volume of a three-dimensional plasmonic structure means many more emitting atoms for long wavelength drivers and much higher power X-rays. The program will support two graduate students, two undergraduate students, and two postdocs to work in one of the most exciting forefronts of ultrafast laser physics, while introducing them to the X-ray source development for Defense Threat Reduction applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2019
- Source ID
- HDTRA11910026
Entities
People
- Zenghu Chang
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Central Florida