中国物理B ›› 2016, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (9): 94213-094213.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/25/9/094213

• REVIEW • 上一篇    下一篇

Optimization of multi-color laser waveform for high-order harmonic generation

Cheng Jin(金成), C D Lin(林启东)   

  1. 1. Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China;
    2. J. R. Macdonald Laboratory, Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA
  • 收稿日期:2016-04-03 修回日期:2016-04-29 出版日期:2016-09-05 发布日期:2016-09-05
  • 通讯作者: Cheng Jin E-mail:cjin@njust.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. 30916011207), Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, U. S. Department of Energy (Grant No. DE-FG02-86ER13491), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research, USA (Grant No. FA9550-14-1-0255).

Optimization of multi-color laser waveform for high-order harmonic generation

Cheng Jin(金成)1, C D Lin(林启东)2   

  1. 1. Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China;
    2. J. R. Macdonald Laboratory, Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA
  • Received:2016-04-03 Revised:2016-04-29 Online:2016-09-05 Published:2016-09-05
  • Contact: Cheng Jin E-mail:cjin@njust.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. 30916011207), Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, U. S. Department of Energy (Grant No. DE-FG02-86ER13491), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research, USA (Grant No. FA9550-14-1-0255).

摘要: With the development of laser technologies, multi-color light-field synthesis with complete amplitude and phase control would make it possible to generate arbitrary optical waveforms. A practical optimization algorithm is needed to generate such a waveform in order to control strong-field processes. We review some recent theoretical works of the optimization of amplitudes and phases of multi-color lasers to modify the single-atom high-order harmonic generation based on genetic algorithm. By choosing different fitness criteria, we demonstrate that: (i) harmonic yields can be enhanced by 10 to 100 times, (ii) harmonic cutoff energy can be substantially extended, (iii) specific harmonic orders can be selectively enhanced, and (iv) single attosecond pulses can be efficiently generated. The possibility of optimizing macroscopic conditions for the improved phase matching and low divergence of high harmonics is also discussed. The waveform control and optimization are expected to be new drivers for the next wave of breakthrough in the strong-field physics in the coming years.

关键词: high-order harmonic generation, waveform optimization, genetic algorithm, single-attosecond pulse

Abstract: With the development of laser technologies, multi-color light-field synthesis with complete amplitude and phase control would make it possible to generate arbitrary optical waveforms. A practical optimization algorithm is needed to generate such a waveform in order to control strong-field processes. We review some recent theoretical works of the optimization of amplitudes and phases of multi-color lasers to modify the single-atom high-order harmonic generation based on genetic algorithm. By choosing different fitness criteria, we demonstrate that: (i) harmonic yields can be enhanced by 10 to 100 times, (ii) harmonic cutoff energy can be substantially extended, (iii) specific harmonic orders can be selectively enhanced, and (iv) single attosecond pulses can be efficiently generated. The possibility of optimizing macroscopic conditions for the improved phase matching and low divergence of high harmonics is also discussed. The waveform control and optimization are expected to be new drivers for the next wave of breakthrough in the strong-field physics in the coming years.

Key words: high-order harmonic generation, waveform optimization, genetic algorithm, single-attosecond pulse

中图分类号:  (Frequency conversion; harmonic generation, including higher-order harmonic generation)

  • 42.65.Ky
42.65.Re (Ultrafast processes; optical pulse generation and pulse compression) 31.70.Hq (Time-dependent phenomena: excitation and relaxation processes, and reaction rates) 32.90.+a (Other topics in atomic properties and interactions of atoms with photons)