Generation of elliptically polarized soft x rays using high-order harmonic generation with orthogonal two-color laser fields

Abstract

High-order harmonic generation by orthogonally polarized two-color (OTC) laser fields is analysed using strong-field approximation and quantum-orbit theory. Results for the field components frequency ratio of 2:1 and 3:1 are presented and compared. We have shown that, depending on the relative phase between the field components, the shape of the high-harmonic spectrum can be very different from that obtained by a monochromatic linearly polarized laser field. It is also shown that it is possible to generate elliptically polarized high-order harmonics with very high photon energies using OTC laser field with the frequency ratio of 3:1 and a long fundamental wavelength. An effective relative phase control of the harmonic emission is demonstrated. The obtained results are explained using the quantum-orbit theory. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.