Generating higher harmonics

Motivation

Ultrashort laser pulses enable high peak intensities to be achieved. These enable a series of fundamental investigations. A particularly interesting phenomenon occurs when the pulses are focused into a gas. Here, coherent radiation in the extreme ultraviolet range is generated.

 

Procedure

In order to make fiber lasers usable for the generation of higher harmonics, hybrid concepts such as fiber laser-pumped parametric amplifiers or non-linear compression are used.

 

Application

EUV radiation is used in time-resolved spectroscopy, for example.

To date, applicability in practice has been limited, as the used laser systems are limited in their pulse frequency and the process is inherently inefficient.