High-order harmonic wave fronts generated with controlled astigmatic infrared laser

We report an experimental study on the control of the high-order harmonic wave front through the adjustment of the wave front of the fundamental infrared laser. We have applied different levels of astigmatism to the IR beam via the use of a deformable mirror placed before the lens, and demonstrated that there exists a correlation between the IR and the high harmonic wave fronts. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.