Abstract

Ultra-short x-ray pulses provide scientists with powerful tools for material diagnostics. Production of coherent, soft-x-ray radiation through the generation of high-order harmonics of (optical) laser radiation has been demonstrated in several laboratories [1]. These high-order harmonics are typically generated using ultra-short laser pulses and are expected to be of short (typically sub-picosecond) temporal duration. While many aspects of harmonic generation have been experimentally investigated, the temporal duration of soft x-rays produced via high-order harmonic generation has not yet been measured. One difficulty is that the temporal resolution achievable with commercial instruments (such as x-ray streak cameras) is limited to approximately 1 ps.

© 1994 Optical Society of America