Attosecond time-scale intra-atomic phase matching of high harmonic generation
Date
2001
Authors
Christov, I. P., author
Kapteyn, H. C., author
Bartels, R., author
Murnane, M. M., author
American Physical Society, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Using a model of high-harmonic generation that couples a fully quantum calculation with a semi-classical electron trajectory picture, we show that a new type of phase matching is possible when an atom is driven by an optimal optical waveform. For an optimized laser pulse shape, strong constructive interference is obtained in the frequency domain between emissions from different electron trajectories, thereby selectively enhancing a particular harmonic order. This work demonstrates that coherent control in the strong-field regime is possible by adjusting the peaks of a laser field on an attosecond time scale.