Size-Dependent High-order Harmonic Generation in Rare-Gas Clusters

High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is investigated in rare-gas clusters as a function of the cluster size using 0.8 and 1.3 μm femtosecond lasers. A characteristic, species-dependent knee structure in the single particle response is observed. A 1D recollision model qualitatively reproduces this behavior and associates it to the degree of delocalization of the initial wave function. Small clusters are observed to have a higher efficiency than monomers but rapidly lose this advantage as the size increases. The implications of these findings on the HHG mechanism in clusters are discussed.