Dynamics of the critical surface in high-intensity laser-solid interactions: modulation of the XUV harmonic spectra

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Apr 15;88(15):155001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.155001. Epub 2002 Mar 27.

Abstract

The generation of harmonics from the interaction of an intense (I>or=10(18) W cm(-2)) laser with a solid surface is investigated. Modulation of the harmonic emission spectrum with a periodicity of 2 to 4 harmonics is observed at higher laser intensities. A similar modulation is predicted by a particle-in-cell simulation. The modulation is shown to be caused by the higher modes of oscillation of the critical surface during the interaction. As a result, the dynamics of the critical surface can be inferred from the shape of the harmonic spectrum.