title: Direct observation of density-gradient effects in harmonic generation from plasma mirrors.
abstract: High-order harmonics and attosecond pulses of light can be generated when ultraintense, ultrashort laser pulses reflect off a solid-density plasma with a sharp vacuum interface, i.e., a plasma mirror. We demonstrate experimentally the key influence of the steepness of the plasma-vacuum interface on the interaction, by measuring the spectral and spatial properties of harmonics generated on a plasma mirror whose initial density gradient scale length L is continuously varied. Time-resolved interferometry is used to separately measure this scale length.
authors.affiliation: Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kahaly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monchocé
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vincenti
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dzelzainis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dromey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zepf
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quéré