Bright High-Harmonic Generation through Coherent Synchrotron Emission Based on the Polarization Gating Scheme

Abstract

Relativistic surface high harmonics, combined with the use of polarization gating, present a promising route towards intense single attosecond pulses. However, they impose stringent requirements on ultra-high laser contrast and are restricted by large intensity losses in real experiments. Here, we numerically demonstrate that by setting an optimal time delay in the polarization gating scheme, the intensity of the generated single attosecond pulses can become approximately 100 times stronger than that with nonoptimal time delay in the coherent synchrotron emission process. When a petawatt-class driving laser irradiates a solid target, an ultra-dense electron nanobunch and a strong space-charge sheath develop, and the accumulated electrostatic energy is only released in half of the laser cycle when this electron nanobunch moves backward. This process results in the emission of intense high harmonics. Our study provides a reliable method for developing bright attosecond extreme ultraviolet pulses.