Polarization dependence of optical harmonic generation from solid targets at high intensities: Role of Faraday rotation

Abstract

In this letter, we show that the Faraday rotation effect of the strong spontaneous magnetic field generated by the focus of a short-pulse, high-power laser interacting with a solid target may blur out the distinction between the s and p polarization of the incident laser. This in effect leads to the result that the harmonic yield ratio between p and s polarization is not as large as a PIC (particle-in-cell) simulation predicted. An approximate calculation of the harmonic yield ratio versus the magnetic field is carried out and the result is in relatively good agreement with the observations by Norreys et al. PACS Nos.: 42.90, 78.90