Controlling phase matching of high-order harmonic generation by manipulating the fundamental field

We study experimentally how to control and improve phase matching of high-order harmonic generation. We use a birefringent lens and a birefringent compensator to obtain a fundamental laser pulse (150 fs, 800 nm, similar to 4 mJ) With two foci Separated by 6.2 mm along the propagation axis and with a controllable phase delay between the polarizations along the optic axes of the birefringent optical components. This enables us to enhance the high-order harmonic conversion efficiency for the high-order harmonics in neon to 3 x 10(-8), a factor of 4 higher compared to a single-focus setup in similar conditions. The enhancement is achieved by improving the phase matching and at the same time maintaining a high intensity in a large generating volume. [S1050-2947(99)04512-6].