Tuneable harmonic frequency combs via dual-beam or structured-target laser-solid interactions

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Trines, R. M. G. M. and Schmitz, Holger and King, Martin and McKenna, Paul and Bingham, Robert (2025) Tuneable harmonic frequency combs via dual-beam or structured-target laser-solid interactions. Physical Review Research. ISSN 2643-1564 (In Press) (https://doi.org/10.1103/j531-q3tk)

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Abstract

When an intense laser pulse strikes a flat solid target at normal incidence, only odd, equally spaced harmonics are typically generated. Using particle-in-cell simulations, we show that introducing transverse spatial modulation-either via two beams incident at small opposing angles or a single beam reflecting from a corrugated surface-produces a two-dimensional harmonic spectrum. Selecting the emission through a narrow slit isolates an angle-dependent subset of harmonics, forming a tunable frequency comb controlled by both the viewing angle and the drive-laser frequency. Distinct combs arise for s- and p-polarised emission, while increasing the focal spot size reduces divergence and improves efficiency. Additional control is achieved by varying beam frequencies, target tilt, or beam number. Replacing the dual-beam configuration with a single beam and structured surface provides equivalent functionality with significantly reduced experimental complexity.

ORCID iDs

Trines, R. M. G. M., Schmitz, Holger, King, Martin ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3370-6141, McKenna, Paul ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8061-7091 and Bingham, Robert ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9843-7635;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:95069
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    15 December 2025
    Published
    15 December 2025
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:17 Dec 2025 16:09
    Last modified:26 Jan 2026 16:37
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/95069
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