Phase-matched harmonic generation by two-colour laser beams propagating in plasma

Abstract

An analytical theory is developed for the generation of phase-matched third harmonic radiation by bichromatic laser beams obliquely incident on a vacuum–plasma interface. A new perspective on the phase-matching condition between the bichromatic laser pump and harmonic fields has been presented. It is shown that phase matching can be achieved by varying the relative angle of incidence of the two laser beams. Phase-matched harmonic radiation generated by two-colour beams with linear, circular and elliptic polarization have been investigated and compared.