High Harmonic Generation by Bright Squeezed Vacuum

Abstract

We observe non-perturbative high harmonic generation in solids driven by a macroscopic quantum state of light, bright squeezed vacuum (BSV), which we generate in a single spatiotemporal mode. The BSV-driven process is considerably more efficient in the generation of high harmonics than classical light of the same mean intensity. Due to its broad photon-number distribution, covering states from $0$ to $2 \times 10^{13}$ photons per pulse, and sub-cycle electric field fluctuations over $\pm1\hbox{V}/\hbox{\r{A}}$, BSV provides access to free carrier dynamics within a much broader range of peak intensities than accessible with classical light. Our findings contribute to recent developments of quantum optics with extreme intensities, moving beyond its traditional focus on low photon numbers, and providing a new method for exploring extreme nonlinearities in solids.