Higher Harmonic and Supercontinuum Generation from the Response Time of the Kerr Effect using Intense Femtosecond and Picosecond Laser Pulses in Different States of Matter

Based on electromagnetic theory, odd Higher Harmonic Generation (HHG) and Supercontinuum (SC) generation from intense femtosecond and picosecond pulses for visible and NIR lasers are simulated based on the parameters from experimental observation. HHG depends critically on different Kerr material response times τ from the ultrafast on the order of 100 attoseconds for electronic cloud distortion to fast 10 femtoseconds processes. The effect of Kerr nonlinear response time on HHG and SC generation explains the effect of underlying instantaneous electronic cloud distortion, fast plasma molecular redistribution, and other slower Molecular mechanisms in different states of matter. HHG and SC generation is simulated in different states of matter from noble gas Argon to condensed matter ZnO and LBG. This effect of Kerr response time on HHG and SC generation supports the ESPM model from nonlinear Kerr index n₂ which will impact the development of new attosecond lasers. Additionally, it shows how HHG and SC generation is possible in different states of matter using laser pulses with <100 fs pulse width in visible and IR ranges. Only the ultrafast mechanism Kerr response times below 1fs give rise to HHG for optical and NIR laser pulses.