High order harmonic Optical Reconstruction by delayed time-depeNdent Ellipticity perturbaTion: HORNET

Abstract

We present and demonstrate an all-optical \textit{in situ} method for temporal characterisation of high-order harmonics generated in gas with a linearly polarised intense infrared (IR) laser. By using a delayed cross-polarised replica of the IR pulse with a lower amplitude, we introduce a weak and time-dependent ellipticity in the IR driving field. Since the XUV emission is very sensitive to the ellipticity of the driving field, it is perturbed precisely at the times when ellipticity is significant. The detected emission is then reduced only if the unperturbed XUV emission is substantial at these times. Perturbed XUV spectra are recorded for several delays and exhibit changes both in amplitude and in their spectral content. An iterative ptychographic algorithm is used to retrieve the electric field of individual harmonics in a very robust way. Experimental measurements are in good agreement with simulations. The reconstructed temporal profiles show a steady evolution of the XUV pulse duration and chirp with the harmonic order. The highest harmonics exhibit a positive chirp and are emitted in the rising front of the IR driving pulse, while the lowest ones exhibit a negative chirp and are emitted throughout the entire pulse.