In-Situ Nanoscale Focusing of Extreme Ultraviolet Solid-State High Harmonics

Extreme ultraviolet light delivering radiation with a wavelength shorter than approximately 100 nm is now available from solid-state sources. However, despite exceptional progress, efficient focusing of extreme ultraviolet photons to their ultimate diffraction limit remains a formidable challenge because of the precision of the focusing by curved, optical surfaces. Here we integrate coherent short-wavelength highorder harmonics from a MgO crystal, with a high-numerical-aperture, nanostructured, focusing element etched onto the surface of the crystal itself. We focus extreme ultraviolet light, seventh harmonic of an 800-nm laser, with a zone plate of numerical aperture 0.35, down to a waist radius of 150 nm, with 18% focusing efficiency. The estimated intensity approaches 107 W/cm2. Future developments may demonstrate nanoscale laser ablation and miniaturization of extreme ultraviolet coherent sources on a chip.

Automated summary

This study successfully focuses extreme ultraviolet light to a waist radius of 150 nm, with 18% focusing efficiency, by integrating coherent short-wavelength high-order harmonics with a high-numerical-aperture nanostructured focusing element. Future developments may lead to nanoscale laser ablation and miniaturization of extreme ultraviolet coherent sources on a chip.