Genetic optimization of attosecond pulse generation in light-field synthesizers

We demonstrate control over attosecond pulse generation and shaping by numerically optimizing the synthesis of few-cycle to sub-cycle driver waveforms. The optical waveform synthesis takes place in an ultrabroad spectral band covering the ultraviolet-infrared domain. These optimized driver waves are used for ultrashort single and double attosecond pulse production (with tunable separation) revealing the potentials of the light wave synthesizer device demonstrated by Wirth et al. [Science 334, 195 (2011)]. The results are also analyzed with respect to attosecond pulse propagation phenomena.

Separation of Target Structure and Medium Propagation Effects in High-Harmonic Generation

We calculate high-harmonic generation (HHG) by intense infrared lasers in atoms and molecules with the inclusion of macroscopic propagation of the harmonics in the gas medium. We show that the observed experimental spectra can be accurately reproduced theoretically despite that HHG spectra are sensitive to the experimental conditions. We further demonstrate that the simulated (or experimental) HHG spectra can be factored out as a product of a macroscopic wave packet and the photo-recombination transition dipole moment where the former depends on the laser properties and the experimental conditions, while the latter is the property of the target only. The factorization makes it possible to extract target structure from experimental HHG spectra, and for ultrafast dynamic imaging of transient molecules.