Strong-Field Perspective on High-Harmonic Radiation from Bulk Solids

Mechanisms of high-harmonic generation from crystals are described by treating the electric field of a laser as a quasistatic strong field. Under the quasistatic electric field, electrons in periodic potentials form dressed states, known as Wannier-Stark states. The energy differences between the dressed states determine the frequencies of the radiation. The radiation yield is determined by the magnitudes of the interband and intraband current matrix elements between the dressed states. The generation of attosecond pulses from solids is predicted. Ramifications for strong-field physics are discussed.