We propose an efficient method to generate an ultra-broadband supercontinuum by using a three-color field synthesized by a 1600 nm driving pulse and two weak (3200 nm and 400 nm) control pulses. The results show that the acceleration and ionization steps in the HHG process are simultaneously controlled in our scheme, which can not only broaden the bandwidth but also enhance the harmonic yields of the generated spectrum. Thus a high-efficiency supercontinuum with the photon energies ranging from 205 eV to 480 eV is observed. Based on our 3D propagation simulations, we show that the short quantum path of the supercontinuum is well phase-matched and can be selected under suitable propagation conditions. Thereby, the modulation due to quantum path interference is largely reduced and intense isolated sub-100 as pulses with tunable central wavelengths are directly obtained within water window spectral region.

© 2013 OSA

1. P. M. Paul, E. S. Toma, P. Breger, G. Mullot, F. Aug, Ph. Balcou, H. G. Muller, and P. Agostini, “Observation of a train of attosecond pulses from high harmonic generation,” Science292, 1689–1692 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Y. Mairesse, A. de Bohan, L. J. Frasinski, H. Merdji, L. C. Dinu, P. Monchicourt, P. Breger, M. Kovacev, R. Taieb, B. Carreć, H. G. Muller, P. Agostini, and P. Salières, “Attosecond synchronization of high-harmonic soft X-rays,” Science302, 1540–1543 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. M. Drescher, M. Hentschel, R. Kienberger, M. Uiberacker, V. Yakovelv, A. Scrinzi, Th. Westerwalbesloh, U. Kleineberg, U. Heinzmann, and F. Krausz, “Time-resolved atomic inner-shell spectroscopy,” Nature (London)419, 803–807 (2002). [CrossRef]
4. R. Kienberger, E. Goulielmakis, M. Uiberacker, A. Baltuska, V. Yakovlev, F. Bammer, A. Scrinzi, Th. Westerwalbesloh, U. Kleineberg, U. Heinzmann, M. Drescher, and F. Krausz, “Atomic transient recorder,” Nature (London)427, 817–821 (2004). [CrossRef]
5. P. B. Corkum, “Plasma perspective on strong field multiphoton ionization,” Phys. Rev. Lett.71, 1994–1997 (1993). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. I. P. Christov, M. M. Murnane, and H. C. Kapteyn, “High-harmonic generation of attosecond pulses in the “single-cycle” regime,” Phys. Rev. Lett.78, 1251–1254 (1997). [CrossRef]
7. M. Hentschel, R. Kienberger, Ch. Spielmann, G. A. Reider, N. Milosevic, T. Brabec, P. Corkum, U. Heinzmann, M. Drescher, and F. Krausz, “Attosecond metrology,” Nature (London)414, 509–513 (2001). [CrossRef]
8. E. Goulielmakis, M. Schultze, M. Hofstetter, V. S. Yakovlev, J. Gagnon, M. Uiberacker, A. L. Aquila, E. M. Gullikson, D. T. Attwood, R. Kienberger, F. Krausz, and U. Kleineberg, “Single-cycle nonlinear optics,” Science320, 1614–1617 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
9. J. J. Carrera, X. Tong, and S. I. Chu, “Creation and control of a single coherent attosecond xuv pulse by few-cycle intense laser pulses,” Phys. Rev. A74, 023404 (2006). [CrossRef]
10. K. Zhao, Q. Zhang, Michael Chini, Y. Wu, X. Wang, and Z. Chang, “Tailoring a 67 attosecond pulse through advantageous phase-mismatch,” Opt. Lett.37, 3891–3893 (2012). [PubMed]
11. Z. Chang, “Chirp of the single attosecond pulse generated by a polarization gating,” Phys. Rev. A71, 023813 (2005). [CrossRef]
12. Q. Zhang, P. Lu, P. Lan, W. Hong, and Z. Yang, “Multi-cycle laser-driven broadband supercontinuum with a modulated polarization gating,” Opt. Express16, 9795–9803 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
13. W. Hong, P. Wei, Q. Zhang, S. Wang, and P. Lu, “Mid-infrared modulated polarization gating for ultra-broadband supercontinuum generation,” Opt. Express18, 11308–11315 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
14. G. Sansone, E. Benedetti, F. Calegari, C. Vozzi, L. Avaldi, R. Flammini, L. Poletto, P. Villoresi, C. Altucci, R. Velotta, S. Stagira, S. De silvestri, and M. Nisoli, “Isolated single-cycle attosecond pulse,” Science314, 443–446 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
15. T. Pfeifer, L. Gallmann, M. J. Abel, D. M. Neumark, and S. R. Leone, “Single attosecond pulse generation in the multicycle-driver regime by adding a weak second-harmonic field,” Opt. Lett.31, 975–977 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
16. P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, Y. Li, and X. Wang, “Isolated sub-100-as pulse generation via controlling electron dynamics,” Phys. Rev. A76, 011402 (2007). [CrossRef]
17. Z. Zeng, Y. Cheng, X. Song, R. Li, and Z. Xu, “Generation of an extreme ultraviolet supercontinuum in a two-color laser field,” Phys. Rev. Lett.98, 203901 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
18. W. Hong, P. Lu, Q. Li, and Q. Zhang, “Broadband water window supercontinuum generation with a tailored mid-IR pulse in neutral media,” Opt. Lett.34, 2102–2104 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
19. P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, and X. Wang, “Efficient generation of an isolated single-cycle attosecond pulse,” Phys.Rev. A76, 043808 (2007). [CrossRef]
20. W. Cao, P. Lu, P. Lan, X. Wang, and Y. Li, “Control of the launch of attosecond pulses,” Phys. Rev. A75, 063423 (2007). [CrossRef]
21. Y. Zheng, Z. Zeng, X. Li, X. Chen, P. Liu, H. Xiong, H. Lu, S. Zhao, P. Wei, L. Zhang, Z. Wang, J. Liu, Y. Cheng, R. Li, and Z. Xu, “Enhancement and broadening of extreme-ultraviolet supercontinuum in a relative phase controlled two-color laser field,” Opt. Lett.33, 234–236 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
22. Q. Zhang, P. Lu, W. Hong, Q. Liao, P. Lan, and X. Wang, “Enhanced high-order harmonic generation via controlling ionization in spatially extended systems,” Phys. Rev. A79, 053406 (2009). [CrossRef]
23. P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, Y. Li, and X. Wang, “Attosecond ionization gating for isolated attosecond electron wave packet and broadband attosecond xuv pulses,” Phys. Rev. A76, 051801 (2007). [CrossRef]
24. M. Lewenstein, Ph. Balcou, M. Yu. Ivanov, A. L Huillier, and P. Corkum, “Theory of high-harmonic generation by low-frequency laser fields,” Phys. Rev. A49, 2117–2132 (1994). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
25. M. V. Ammosov, N. B. Delone, and V. P. Krainov, “Tunnel ionization of complex atoms and of atomic ions in an alternating electromagnetic field,” Sov. Phys. JETP64, 1191–1194 (1986).
26. E. Priori, G. Cerullo, M. Nisoli, S. Stagira, S. De Silvestri, P. Villoresi, L. Poletto, P. Ceccherini, C. Altucci, R. Bruzzese, and C. de Lisio, “Nonadiabatic three-dimentional model of high-order harmonic generation in the few-optical cycle regime,” Phys. Rev. A61, 063801 (2000). [CrossRef]
27. E. V. Vanin, A. V. Kim, and A. M. Sergeev, “Excitation of ultrashort bursts of harmonics of the radiation during ionization of a gas by an intense light pulse,” JETP Lett.58, 900 (1993).
28. Philippe Balcou, Pascal Salieres, Anne L’Huillier, and Maciej Lewenstein, “Generalized phase-matching conditions for high harmonics: The role of field-gradient forces,” Phys. Rev. A55, 3204–3210 (1997) [CrossRef]
29. Kyung Taec, Kim Chul, Min Kim, Moon-Gu Baik, G. Umesh, and Chang Hee Nam, “Single sub-50-attosecond pulse generation from chirp-compensated harmonic radiation using material dispersion,” Phys. Rev. A69, 051805(R) (2004).

JETP Lett.

• E. V. Vanin, A. V. Kim, and A. M. Sergeev, “Excitation of ultrashort bursts of harmonics of the radiation during ionization of a gas by an intense light pulse,” JETP Lett.58, 900 (1993).

Nature (London)

• M. Drescher, M. Hentschel, R. Kienberger, M. Uiberacker, V. Yakovelv, A. Scrinzi, Th. Westerwalbesloh, U. Kleineberg, U. Heinzmann, and F. Krausz, “Time-resolved atomic inner-shell spectroscopy,” Nature (London)419, 803–807 (2002). [CrossRef]
• R. Kienberger, E. Goulielmakis, M. Uiberacker, A. Baltuska, V. Yakovlev, F. Bammer, A. Scrinzi, Th. Westerwalbesloh, U. Kleineberg, U. Heinzmann, M. Drescher, and F. Krausz, “Atomic transient recorder,” Nature (London)427, 817–821 (2004). [CrossRef]
• M. Hentschel, R. Kienberger, Ch. Spielmann, G. A. Reider, N. Milosevic, T. Brabec, P. Corkum, U. Heinzmann, M. Drescher, and F. Krausz, “Attosecond metrology,” Nature (London)414, 509–513 (2001). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

• Q. Zhang, P. Lu, P. Lan, W. Hong, and Z. Yang, “Multi-cycle laser-driven broadband supercontinuum with a modulated polarization gating,” Opt. Express16, 9795–9803 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• W. Hong, P. Wei, Q. Zhang, S. Wang, and P. Lu, “Mid-infrared modulated polarization gating for ultra-broadband supercontinuum generation,” Opt. Express18, 11308–11315 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Lett.

• K. Zhao, Q. Zhang, Michael Chini, Y. Wu, X. Wang, and Z. Chang, “Tailoring a 67 attosecond pulse through advantageous phase-mismatch,” Opt. Lett.37, 3891–3893 (2012). [PubMed]
• T. Pfeifer, L. Gallmann, M. J. Abel, D. M. Neumark, and S. R. Leone, “Single attosecond pulse generation in the multicycle-driver regime by adding a weak second-harmonic field,” Opt. Lett.31, 975–977 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• W. Hong, P. Lu, Q. Li, and Q. Zhang, “Broadband water window supercontinuum generation with a tailored mid-IR pulse in neutral media,” Opt. Lett.34, 2102–2104 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• Y. Zheng, Z. Zeng, X. Li, X. Chen, P. Liu, H. Xiong, H. Lu, S. Zhao, P. Wei, L. Zhang, Z. Wang, J. Liu, Y. Cheng, R. Li, and Z. Xu, “Enhancement and broadening of extreme-ultraviolet supercontinuum in a relative phase controlled two-color laser field,” Opt. Lett.33, 234–236 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phys. Rev. A

• Q. Zhang, P. Lu, W. Hong, Q. Liao, P. Lan, and X. Wang, “Enhanced high-order harmonic generation via controlling ionization in spatially extended systems,” Phys. Rev. A79, 053406 (2009). [CrossRef]
• P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, Y. Li, and X. Wang, “Attosecond ionization gating for isolated attosecond electron wave packet and broadband attosecond xuv pulses,” Phys. Rev. A76, 051801 (2007). [CrossRef]
• M. Lewenstein, Ph. Balcou, M. Yu. Ivanov, A. L Huillier, and P. Corkum, “Theory of high-harmonic generation by low-frequency laser fields,” Phys. Rev. A49, 2117–2132 (1994). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• Philippe Balcou, Pascal Salieres, Anne L’Huillier, and Maciej Lewenstein, “Generalized phase-matching conditions for high harmonics: The role of field-gradient forces,” Phys. Rev. A55, 3204–3210 (1997) [CrossRef]
• Kyung Taec, Kim Chul, Min Kim, Moon-Gu Baik, G. Umesh, and Chang Hee Nam, “Single sub-50-attosecond pulse generation from chirp-compensated harmonic radiation using material dispersion,” Phys. Rev. A69, 051805(R) (2004).
• J. J. Carrera, X. Tong, and S. I. Chu, “Creation and control of a single coherent attosecond xuv pulse by few-cycle intense laser pulses,” Phys. Rev. A74, 023404 (2006). [CrossRef]
• W. Cao, P. Lu, P. Lan, X. Wang, and Y. Li, “Control of the launch of attosecond pulses,” Phys. Rev. A75, 063423 (2007). [CrossRef]
• E. Priori, G. Cerullo, M. Nisoli, S. Stagira, S. De Silvestri, P. Villoresi, L. Poletto, P. Ceccherini, C. Altucci, R. Bruzzese, and C. de Lisio, “Nonadiabatic three-dimentional model of high-order harmonic generation in the few-optical cycle regime,” Phys. Rev. A61, 063801 (2000). [CrossRef]
• P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, Y. Li, and X. Wang, “Isolated sub-100-as pulse generation via controlling electron dynamics,” Phys. Rev. A76, 011402 (2007). [CrossRef]
• Z. Chang, “Chirp of the single attosecond pulse generated by a polarization gating,” Phys. Rev. A71, 023813 (2005). [CrossRef]

Phys. Rev. Lett.

• Z. Zeng, Y. Cheng, X. Song, R. Li, and Z. Xu, “Generation of an extreme ultraviolet supercontinuum in a two-color laser field,” Phys. Rev. Lett.98, 203901 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• P. B. Corkum, “Plasma perspective on strong field multiphoton ionization,” Phys. Rev. Lett.71, 1994–1997 (1993). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• I. P. Christov, M. M. Murnane, and H. C. Kapteyn, “High-harmonic generation of attosecond pulses in the “single-cycle” regime,” Phys. Rev. Lett.78, 1251–1254 (1997). [CrossRef]

Phys.Rev. A

• P. Lan, P. Lu, W. Cao, and X. Wang, “Efficient generation of an isolated single-cycle attosecond pulse,” Phys.Rev. A76, 043808 (2007). [CrossRef]

Science

• G. Sansone, E. Benedetti, F. Calegari, C. Vozzi, L. Avaldi, R. Flammini, L. Poletto, P. Villoresi, C. Altucci, R. Velotta, S. Stagira, S. De silvestri, and M. Nisoli, “Isolated single-cycle attosecond pulse,” Science314, 443–446 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• E. Goulielmakis, M. Schultze, M. Hofstetter, V. S. Yakovlev, J. Gagnon, M. Uiberacker, A. L. Aquila, E. M. Gullikson, D. T. Attwood, R. Kienberger, F. Krausz, and U. Kleineberg, “Single-cycle nonlinear optics,” Science320, 1614–1617 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• P. M. Paul, E. S. Toma, P. Breger, G. Mullot, F. Aug, Ph. Balcou, H. G. Muller, and P. Agostini, “Observation of a train of attosecond pulses from high harmonic generation,” Science292, 1689–1692 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• Y. Mairesse, A. de Bohan, L. J. Frasinski, H. Merdji, L. C. Dinu, P. Monchicourt, P. Breger, M. Kovacev, R. Taieb, B. Carreć, H. G. Muller, P. Agostini, and P. Salières, “Attosecond synchronization of high-harmonic soft X-rays,” Science302, 1540–1543 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Sov. Phys. JETP

• M. V. Ammosov, N. B. Delone, and V. P. Krainov, “Tunnel ionization of complex atoms and of atomic ions in an alternating electromagnetic field,” Sov. Phys. JETP64, 1191–1194 (1986).

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