Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids

High-harmonic generation from solids can be utilized as a probe of ultrafast dynamics, but thus far only over extended sample areas, since its spatial resolution is diffraction limited. Here, we propose spatial polarization gating, that is, using a spatially varying ellipticity of a driving laser pu...

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Main Authors: Pieter J. van Essen, Brian de Keijzer, Tanya van Horen, Eduardo B. Molinero, Álvaro Jiménez Galán, Rui. E. F. Silva, Peter M. Kraus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-03-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012063
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author Pieter J. van Essen
Brian de Keijzer
Tanya van Horen
Eduardo B. Molinero
Álvaro Jiménez Galán
Rui. E. F. Silva
Peter M. Kraus
author_facet Pieter J. van Essen
Brian de Keijzer
Tanya van Horen
Eduardo B. Molinero
Álvaro Jiménez Galán
Rui. E. F. Silva
Peter M. Kraus
author_sort Pieter J. van Essen
collection DOAJ
description High-harmonic generation from solids can be utilized as a probe of ultrafast dynamics, but thus far only over extended sample areas, since its spatial resolution is diffraction limited. Here, we propose spatial polarization gating, that is, using a spatially varying ellipticity of a driving laser pulse to reduce the spatial profile of high-harmonic emission below the diffraction limit and hence increase spatial resolution. We show experimentally and by numerical simulations that our method is generally applicable as suppressing high harmonics in elliptical fields is a common response in all solids. We also briefly explore the possibility of applying this technique to wide-field imaging, specifically to nonlinear structured illumination microscopy. Our findings indicate that spatial polarization gating can enable all-optical femto-to-attosecond label-free imaging beyond the Abbe limit.
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spelling doaj-art-df20a51c67324650bd2c1a50b86c2efc2025-08-20T02:58:18ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-03-0171L01206310.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012063Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solidsPieter J. van EssenBrian de KeijzerTanya van HorenEduardo B. MolineroÁlvaro Jiménez GalánRui. E. F. SilvaPeter M. KrausHigh-harmonic generation from solids can be utilized as a probe of ultrafast dynamics, but thus far only over extended sample areas, since its spatial resolution is diffraction limited. Here, we propose spatial polarization gating, that is, using a spatially varying ellipticity of a driving laser pulse to reduce the spatial profile of high-harmonic emission below the diffraction limit and hence increase spatial resolution. We show experimentally and by numerical simulations that our method is generally applicable as suppressing high harmonics in elliptical fields is a common response in all solids. We also briefly explore the possibility of applying this technique to wide-field imaging, specifically to nonlinear structured illumination microscopy. Our findings indicate that spatial polarization gating can enable all-optical femto-to-attosecond label-free imaging beyond the Abbe limit.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012063
spellingShingle Pieter J. van Essen
Brian de Keijzer
Tanya van Horen
Eduardo B. Molinero
Álvaro Jiménez Galán
Rui. E. F. Silva
Peter M. Kraus
Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
Physical Review Research
title Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
title_full Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
title_fullStr Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
title_full_unstemmed Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
title_short Spatial polarization gating of high-harmonic generation in solids
title_sort spatial polarization gating of high harmonic generation in solids
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012063
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