Role of Bloch oscillation in high-order harmonic generation from periodic structure*

Abstract

The high-order harmonic generation from a model solid structure driven by an intense laser pulse is investigated using the semiconductor Bloch equations (SBEs). The main features of harmonic spectrum from SBEs agree well with the result of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE), and the cut-off energy can be precisely estimated by the recollision model. With increasing the field strength, the harmonic spectrum shows an extra plateau. Based on the temporal population of electron and the time–frequency analysis, the harmonics in the extra plateau are generated by the Bloch oscillation. Due to the ultrafast time response of the Bloch electron, the generated harmonics provide a potential source of shorter isolated attosecond pulse.