Abstract

We demonstrate controlled high-order harmonic generation in gas using high-energy femtosecond pulses ($50\mathrm{fs}-50\mathrm{mJ}$ on target) by performing spatial shaping of the terrawatt fundamental laser beam. We have developed a two optical paths mirror that can withstand high power and shape the pump beam into a quasi-flat-top profile (super Gaussian) near focus. We observe clear signatures of the spatial shaping on the harmonic beam in terms of profile, divergence, level of signal, and spectrum. The harmonic generation in neon with a quasi-flat-top beam results in a broadband extreme UV beam with extremely low divergence ($\sim 340\mathrm{\mu rad}$).

© 2011 Optical Society of America

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