Phononic High Harmonic Generation

Abstract

This paper reports experimental evidence for phononic low-order to high-order harmonic conversion leading to high harmonic generation. Phononic high harmonic generation is mediated by a threshold dependent instability of a driven phonon mode. Once the threshold for instability is met, a cascade of harmonic generation processes is triggered. Firstly, the up-conversion of first harmonic phonons into second harmonic phonons is established. Subsequently, the down-conversion of second harmonic phonons into first harmonic phonons and conversion of first and second harmonic phonons into third harmonic phonons occur. On the similar lines, an eventual conversion of third harmonic phonons to high orders is also observed to commence. This physical pathway for phononic low-order to high-order harmonic conversion may find general relevance to other physical systems.