The results of enhanced high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in laser-produced plasmas using a two-color laser pump (98% of 800 nm and 2% of 400 nm) are presented. Even (up to the 38th order) and odd (up to the 45th order) harmonics of 800 nm radiation were generated in the case of a two-color orthogonal polarization pump of various plasmas. The comparison between HHGs using parallel and orthogonally polarized 400 and 800 nm radiations showed better conversion efficiency for the latter case. We have also used circularly polarized 800 nm pump for second-harmonic generation and HHG. We also present the results of the influence of the chirp and phase modulation of the fundamental radiation in laser plasma on the spectral properties of odd and even harmonics.

• Received 26 June 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.033845