Soft-x-ray harmonic comb from relativistic electron spikes

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Mar 30;108(13):135004. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.135004. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

We demonstrate a new high-order harmonic generation mechanism reaching the "water window" spectral region in experiments with multiterawatt femtosecond lasers irradiating gas jets. A few hundred harmonic orders are resolved, giving μJ/sr pulses. Harmonics are collectively emitted by an oscillating electron spike formed at the joint of the boundaries of a cavity and bow wave created by a relativistically self-focusing laser in underdense plasma. The spike sharpness and stability are explained by catastrophe theory. The mechanism is corroborated by particle-in-cell simulations.