Role of the Ionic Potential in High Harmonic Generation

Abstract

Recollision processes provide direct insight into the structure and dynamics of electronic wave functions. However, the strength of the process sets its basic limitations - the interaction couples numerous degrees of freedom. In this Letter we decouple the basic steps of the process and resolve the role of the ionic potential which is at the heart of a broad range of strong field phenomena. Specifically, we measure high harmonic generation from argon atoms. By manipulating the polarization of the laser field we resolve the vectorial properties of the interaction. Our study shows that the ionic core plays a significant role in all steps of the interaction. In particular, Coulomb focusing induces an angular deflection of the electrons before recombination. A complete spatiospectral analysis reveals the influence of the potential on the spatiotemporal properties of the emitted light.

References in corpus (3)

• Quantitative Rescattering Theory for high-order harmonic generation from molecules
• Quantum state-resolved probing of strong-field-ionized xenon atoms using femtosecond high-order harmonic transient absorption spectroscopy
• Influence of Phase Matching on the Cooper Minimum in Ar High Harmonic Spectra

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Symphony on Strong Field Approximation
• Inhomogeneous High-order Harmonic Generation in Krypton Clusters
• Quantum-classical correspondence in circularly polarized high harmonic generation
• Recollision scenario without tunneling : Role of the ionic core potential
• Can one turn off Coulomb focusing?
• Coherent buildup of high harmonic radiation: the classical perspective
• Spectral caustic in two-color high harmonic generation: role of Coulomb effects