Theory of high-order harmonic generation in relativistic laser interaction with overdense plasma

High-order harmonic generation due to the interaction of a short ultrarelativistic laser pulse with overdense plasma is studied analytically and numerically. On the basis of the ultrarelativistic similarity theory we show that the high-order harmonic spectrum is universal, i.e., it does not depend on the interaction details. The spectrum includes the power-law part I_nn^–8/3 for n<, followed by exponential decay. Here _max is the largest relativistic factor of the plasma surface and is the second derivative of the surface velocity at this moment. The high-order harmonic cutoff at is parametrically larger than the 4 predicted by the simple "oscillating mirror" model based on the Doppler effect. The cornerstone of our theory is the new physical phenomenon: spikes in the relativistic factor of the plasma surface. These spikes define the high-order harmonic spectrum and lead to attosecond pulses in the reflected radiation.

©2006 The American Physical Society