Ionization in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave
01 Nov 1964-Vol. 20, Iss: 5, pp 1307-1314
About: The article was published on 1964-11-01 and is currently open access. It has received 1701 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Optical field & Electromagnetic electron wave.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the main aspects of ultrashort laser pulse filamentation in various transparent media such as air (gases), transparent solids and liquids are introduced and discussed.
2,282 citations
TL;DR: In this article, high-order harmonic generation is observed in a bulk crystalline solid with important implications for attosecond science, where the host medium for this interaction is typically a gas.
Abstract: High-order harmonic generation is a nonlinear optical process that enables the creation of light pulses at frequencies much higher than that from a seed laser. The host medium for this interaction is typically a gas. Now, the process has been observed in a bulk crystalline solid with important implications for attosecond science.
1,264 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a two-hand model is used to calculate the scaling and spectrum of the nonlinear absorption of semiconductors and wide-gap optical solids, and the bound electronic nonlinear refractive index n/sub 2/ is obtained using a Kramers-Kronig transformation.
Abstract: A two-hand model is used to calculate the scaling and spectrum of the nondegenerate nonlinear absorption. From this, the bound electronic nonlinear refractive index n/sub 2/ is obtained using a Kramers-Kronig transformation. The authors include the effects of two-photon and Raman transitions and the AC Stark shift (virtual band blocking). The theoretical calculation for n/sub 2/ shows excellent agreement with measured values for a five-order-of-magnitude variation in the modulus of n/sub 2/ in semiconductors and wide-gap optical solids. Beam distortion methods were used to measure n/sub 2/ in semiconductors. The observations result in a comprehensive theory that allows a prediction of n/sub 2/ at wavelengths beneath the band edge, given only the bandgap energy and the linear index of refraction. Some consequences for all-optical switching are discussed, and a wavelength criterion for the observation of switching is derived. >
956 citations
TL;DR: The historical background including the early laser-matter interaction studies on energetic ion acceleration relevant to inertial confinement fusion is reviewed and several implemented and proposed mechanisms of proton and/or ion acceleration driven by ultra-short high-intensity lasers are described.
Abstract: For many years, laser-driven ion acceleration, mainly proton acceleration, has been proposed and a number of proof-of-principle experiments have been carried out with lasers whose pulse duration was in the nanosecond range. In the 1990s, ion acceleration in a relativistic plasma was demonstrated with ultra-short pulse lasers based on the chirped pulse amplification technique which can provide not only picosecond or femtosecond laser pulse duration, but simultaneously ultra-high peak power of terawatt to petawatt levels. Starting from the year 2000, several groups demonstrated low transverse emittance, tens of MeV proton beams with a conversion efficiency of up to several percent. The laser-accelerated particle beams have a duration of the order of a few picoseconds at the source, an ultra-high peak current and a broad energy spectrum, which make them suitable for many, including several unique, applications. This paper reviews, firstly, the historical background including the early laser-matter interaction studies on energetic ion acceleration relevant to inertial confinement fusion. Secondly, we describe several implemented and proposed mechanisms of proton and/or ion acceleration driven by ultra-short high-intensity lasers. We pay special attention to relatively simple models of several acceleration regimes. The models connect the laser, plasma and proton/ion beam parameters, predicting important features, such as energy spectral shape, optimum conditions and scalings under these conditions for maximum ion energy, conversion efficiency, etc. The models also suggest possible ways to manipulate the proton/ion beams by tailoring the target and irradiation conditions. Thirdly, we review experimental results on proton/ion acceleration, starting with the description of driving lasers. We list experimental results and show general trends of parameter dependences and compare them with the theoretical predictions and simulations. The fourth topic includes a review of scientific, industrial and medical applications of laser-driven proton or ion sources, some of which have already been established, while the others are yet to be demonstrated. In most applications, the laser-driven ion sources are complementary to the conventional accelerators, exhibiting significantly different properties. Finally, we summarize the paper.
886 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a phase-stable, high-harmonic transients over the whole frequency range of 0.1-675 THz were obtained. But the frequency of 30 THz was not considered.
Abstract: Terahertz waveforms with peak fields of 72 MV cm−1 and a central frequency of 30 THz drive interband polarization in bulk GaSe off-resonantly and accelerate excited electron–hole pairs, inducing dynamical Bloch oscillations. This results in the emission of phase-stable, high-harmonic transients over the whole frequency range of 0.1–675 THz.
841 citations