I present a study of laser-induced plasmas (LIPs) produced on the surfaces of molecular targets to create optimal conditions for high-order harmonics generation during the propagation of femtosecond pulses through the LIP. The resonance enhancement of a harmonic, two-color pump of plasma, quasi-phase-matching and nanoparticle-induced growth of the harmonic yield are analyzed, which allows for the formation of sources of coherent extreme ultraviolet radiation based on molecular plasma formation.
Keywords: high-order harmonics generation; molecular plasma; optimization of plasma formation.