Abstract

The generation of attosecond pulse trains when atoms are exposed to intense laser light will be reviewed. In particular, we will describe temporal and spectral measurements of attosecond pulses using the “Reconstruction of Attosecond Burst by Interference of Two Photon Transitions” (RABITT)¹ as well as the recently demonstrated in-situ method² using a slight perturbing second harmonic field in the generating medium. Special attention will be devoted to the optimization of these pulse trains, by using a stronger second harmonic field with parallel or crossed polarization relative to the infrared, loose focusing geometry, long media etc. Finally, a few examples of application of intense harmonic / attosecond radiation in imaging^3,4 experiments will be presented.

© 2009 IEEE