Multi-level perspective on high-order harmonic generation in solids

Abstract

We investigate high-order harmonic generation in a solid, modeled as a multi-level system dressed by a strong infrared laser field. We show that the cutoff energies and the relative strengths of the multiple plateaus that emerge in the harmonic spectrum can be understood both qualitatively and quantitatively by considering a combination of adiabatic and diabatic processes driven by the strong field. Such a model was recently used to interpret the multiple plateaus exhibited in harmonic spectra generated by solid argon and krypton [Ndabashimiye {\it et al.}, Nature 534, 520 (2016)]. We also show that when the multi-level system originates from the Bloch state at the $\Gamma$ point of the band structure, the laser-dressed states are equivalent to the Houston states [Krieger {\it el al.} Phys. Rev. B 33, 5494 (1986)] and will therefore map out the band structure away from the $\Gamma$ point as the laser field increases. This leads to a semi-classical three-step picture in momentum space that describes the high-order harmonic generation process in a solid.

15 pages, 8 figures

References in corpus (8)

• Accurate retrieval of structural information from laser-induced photoelectron and high-harmonic spectra by few-cycle laser pulses
• High harmonic generation from Bloch electrons in solids
• Two-level systems driven by large-amplitude fields
• Strong-Field Perspective on High-Harmonic Radiation from Bulk Solids
• The Effect of Multiple Conduction Bands on High Harmonic Emission from Dielectrics
• Theoretical description of high-order harmonic generation in solids
• Quantum beats in the polarization response of a dielectric to intense few-cycle laser pulses
• Dipole spectrum structure of non-resonant non-pertubative driven two-level atoms

Cited by in corpus (2)

• High-order harmonic generation in solid slabs beyond the single active electron
• High-order harmonic generation of doped semiconductor