Abstract
The generation of harmonics by short, intense laser pulses reflected from a solid-density plasma is investigated using particle-in-cell simulation. High irradiance, obliquely incident p-polarized light generates harmonics via relativistic electrons dragged across the vacuum-solid interface. This mechanism does not exhibit the limitation previously predicted for lower intensities of a maximum harmonic “cutoff” . For and modest shelf densities , at least 60 harmonics can be generated with power efficiencies , suggesting coherent MW x rays with could be generated with a KrF pump.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.50
©1996 American Physical Society