Abstract

We present results for high order harmonic generation with atoms and molecules using high intensity laser light at 800 nm. Pulses of 150 fs duration were focused to peak intensities on the order of 10¹⁶ W/cm² in a gas jet. The goal is to study the dependence of harmonic efficiency on polarizability, ionization potential and structure. Under tight focusing conditions we observe that in general the harmonic conversion efficiency for low order harmonics increases with static molecular polarizability. Exceptions are observed for SF₆ and Xe. Data will be presented for C₄H₁₀, C₃H₈, C₂H₆, SF₆, N₂, H₂, Ar, Kr, Xe.

© 1997 Optical Society of America