title: Global optimization of high harmonic generation.
abstract: We investigate the relevance of the absorption limit concept in the optimization of high harmonic generation. Thanks to the first direct observation of the coherence length of the process from high-contrast Maker fringes, we unravel experimental conditions for which the harmonic dipole response is enhanced when phase matching is realized within the absorption limit, leading to record conversion efficiencies in argon. Moreover, we show that harmonic generation in guided or freely propagating geometries are equivalent in the loose focusing regime. This analysis is generalized to other advanced phase-matching schemes, thereby predicting the possibility to boost the conversion efficiencies using light noble gases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, ENSTA- Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS UMR 7639, Palaiseau, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazamias
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Douillet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weihe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valentin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rousse
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sebban
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grillon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Augé
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hulin
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balcou