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Increasing the brightness of harmonic XUV radiation with spatially-tailored driver beams

D J Treacher, D T Lloyd, Kevin O'Keeffe Orcid Logo, F Wiegandt, S M Hooker

Journal of Optics, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Start page: 015502

Swansea University Author: Kevin O'Keeffe Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Bright high harmonic sources can be produced by loosely focussing high peak power laser pulses to exploit the quadratic scaling of flux with driver spot size at the expense of a larger experimental footprint. Here, we present a method for increasing the brightness of a harmonic source (while maintai...

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Published in: Journal of Optics
ISSN: 2040-8978 2040-8986
Published: IOP Publishing 2021
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55736
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Abstract: Bright high harmonic sources can be produced by loosely focussing high peak power laser pulses to exploit the quadratic scaling of flux with driver spot size at the expense of a larger experimental footprint. Here, we present a method for increasing the brightness of a harmonic source (while maintaining a compact experimental geometry) by spatially shaping the transverse focal intensity distribution of a driving laser from a Gaussian to supergaussian. Using a phase-only spatial light modulator we increase the size and order of the supergaussian focal profiles, thereby increasing the number of harmonic emitters more efficiently than possible with Gaussian beams. This provides the benefits of a loose focussing geometry, yielding a five-fold increase in harmonic brightness, whilst maintaining a constant experimental footprint. This technique can readily be applied to existing high harmonic systems, opening new opportunities for applications requiring bright, compact sources of coherent short wavelength radiation.
Keywords: high-harmonic generation, frequency conversion, beam shaping
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Issue: 1
Start Page: 015502