Harmonic generation from a coherent superposition of states

In this Rapid Communication we present a method of extending the harmonic generation plateau to high energies with very high conversion efficiencies using moderate intensities. Preparing the initial state as a coherent superposition of the ground state and an excited state we can induce dipole transitions between the continuum and the ground state via the intermediate (excited) state responsible for the ionization. We solve numerically the Schr\"odinger equation and show that the spectrum contains two distinct plateaus, with cutoffs at Uₑ+3Uₚ and Ug+3Uₚ. Using an essential states method we demonstrate that the plateaus are due to recombination into the excited and ground states. We briefly discuss possible experimental realizations of the scheme we present.