Towards efficient generation of attosecond pulses from overdense plasma targets

Theoretical studies and computer simulations predict efficient generation of attosecond electromagnetic pulses from overdense plasma targets, driven by relativistically strong laser pulses. These predictions need to be validated in time resolved experiments in order to provide a route for applications. The first available femtosecond sources for these experiments are likely to be 10 fs pulses of a few millijoules, which could provide focal intensities at about the relativistic threshold. With particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that the radiation resulting from interaction of such pulses with solid targets is expected to be attosecond trains with very high conversion efficiency as relativistic effects start to act. 4 Author to whom any correspondance should be addressed. New Journal of Physics 10 (2008) 025022 1367-2630/08/025022+09$30.00 © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft