arXiv subjects

Szabolcs Hack

Publications and source records attributed to Szabolcs Hack.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A continuous-mode quantum-optical representation of finite strong-field laser pulses in free space

We formulate an energy-consistent quantum-optical representation of finite paraxial laser pulses in free space. The formulation is based on a continuous-mode description and provides a step toward a unified treatment of coherent and nonclassical strong-field drivers. Starting from plane-wave quantization, we construct a transverse vector-mode reduction in which the selected mode can reproduce an arbitrary normalized spatial--polarization profile. For a coherent pulse, the measured pulse energy and full laboratory analytic signal determine the frequency-dependent coherent-state displacement $(\alpha(\omega))$, without introducing a physical quantization volume. For nonclassical pulses, the same first-order field data and total energy do not uniquely specify the quantum state. Additional correlation information or model assumptions are required. We incorporate this information through normal and anomalous covariance kernels and discuss $g^{(2)}$-based diagnostics of squeezed pulses. We also derive a phase-sensitive convergence criterion for numerical frequency-bin discretizations. An exactly solvable continuum-mode free-electron application shows that the coherent displacement reproduces the semiclassical mean trajectory, whereas the field covariances determine the electron wave packet width. The framework offers a convenient, energy-consistent interface between measured free-space pulses and quantum-optical calculations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Wave packet motion in a quantized electromagnetic field: Analytic results

We investigate the dynamics of a charged particle interacting with a multimode quantized electromagnetic field and obtain an analytic solution for the full electron--field system. This framework enables the calculation of position expectation values and uncertainties for arbitrary wave packets and field states, allowing us to identify quantum corrections to the corresponding classical motion. While the corrections to the position expectation value are weak and largely insensitive to the quantum state of the field, the wave packet broadening exhibits a pronounced dependence on the field state. In particular, the quantum uncertainty of the radiation is directly imprinted onto the spatial uncertainty of the particle. We illustrate these effects for Gaussian wave packets interacting with coherent, Fock, and squeezed states, including bright squeezed vacuum. The interaction with a finite-duration laser pulse is also analyzed as a multimode example. Our results provide a transparent analytic route toward understanding how quantum fluctuations of light influence electron dynamics in strong-field settings.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

One-dimensional model potentials optimized for the calculation of the HHG spectrum

Based on the favourable properties of previously used one-dimensional (1D) atomic model potentials, we introduce a novel 1D atomic model potential for the 1D simulation of the quantum dynamics of a single active electron atom driven by a strong, linearly polarized near-infrared laser pulse. By comparing numerical simulation results of typical strong-field physics scenarios in 1D and 3D, we show that this novel 1D model potential gives single atom HHG spectra with impressively increased accuracy for the most frequently used driving laser pulse parameters.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Parametric model for high-order harmonic generation with quantized fields

A quantum optical model for the high-order harmonic generation is presented, in which both the exciting field and the high harmonic modes are quantized, while the target material appears via parameters only. As a consequence, the model is independent from the excited material system to a large extent, and allows us to focus on the properties of the electromagnetic fields. Technically, the Hamiltonian known for parametric down-conversion is adopted, where photons in the $n$th harmonic mode are created in exchange of annihilating $n$ photons from the fundamental mode. In our treatment, initially the fundamental mode is in a coherent state corresponding to large photon numbers, while the high harmonic modes are in vacuum state. Due to the interaction, the latter modes get populated while the fundamental one loses photons. Analytical approximations are presented for the time evolution that are verified by numerically exact calculations. For multimode, finite bandwith excitation, the time dependence of the high-order harmonic radiation is also given.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Diatomic molecule in a strong infrared laser field: level-shifts and bond-length change due to laser-dressed Morse potential

We present a general mathematical procedure to handle interactions described by a Morse potential in the presence of a strong harmonic excitation. We account for permanent and field-induced terms and their gradients in the dipole moment function, and we derive analytic formulae for the bond-length change and for the shifted energy eigenvalues of the vibrations, by using the Kramers-Henneberger frame. We apply these results to the important cases of $\mathrm{H}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{LiH}$, driven by a near- or mid-infrared laser in the $10^{13}$ $\mathrm{ W/cm^2}$ intensity range.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Quantum interference in strong-field ionization by a linearly polarized laser pulse, and its relevance to tunnel exit time and momentum

We investigate the liberation of an atomic electron by a linearly polarized single-cycle near-infrared laser pulse having a peak intensity that ensures tunneling. Based on phase space analysis and energy distribution in the instantaneous potential, we reveal the importance of quantum interference between tunneling and over-the-barrier pathways of escape. Tunneling is blurred both in space and time, and the contribution of tunneling at the mean energy is almost negligible. We suggest and justify improved initial conditions for a classical particle approximation of strong-field ionization, based on the quantum momentum function, and we show how to reconstruct them from the detected momentum of an escaped electron.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Reconstruction of tunnel exit time and exit momentum in strong field ionization, based on phase space methods

We analyze tunnel ionization of a single atom based on the Wigner function over the classical phase space which inspires improved classical electron trajectories: these start with exit momenta based on the quantum momentum function and correspond very well to the subsequent quantum evolution. We derive an approximate analytic formula to reconstruct the tunnel exit time and exit momentum from electron momentum data that can be measured e.g. with a usual time-of-flight electron detector.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Carrier-envelope phase controlled isolated attosecond pulses in the nm wavelength range, based on superradiant nonlinear Thomson-backscattering

A proposal for a novel source of isolated attosecond XUV -- soft X-ray pulses with a well controlled carrier-envelope phase difference (CEP) is presented in the framework of nonlinear Thomson-backscattering. Based on the analytic solution of the Newton-Lorentz equations, the motion of a relativistic electron is calculated explicitly, for head-on collision with an intense fs laser pulse. By using the received formulae, the collective spectrum and the corresponding temporal shape of the radiation emitted by a mono-energetic electron bunch can be easily computed. For certain suitable and realistic parameters, single-cycle isolated pulses of ca. 20 as length are predicted in the XUV -- soft X-ray spectral range, including the 2.33-4.37 nm water window. According to our analysis, the generated almost linearly polarized beam is extremely well collimated around the initial velocity of the electron bunch, with considerable intensity and with its CEP locked to that of the fs laser pulse.

physics.atom-ph↗