Output coupling methods for cavity-based high-harmonic generation

We have investigated the coupling efficiency and cavity loss associated with a ring cavity that has a hole in one of the focusing mirrors. The aperture provides a means through which intracavity high-harmonic generation can be coupled from the cavity. By studying different cavity geometries and input modes we have found that the integration of phase-plates on the focusing mirrors provides the best performance in terms of input coupling efficiency, cavity loss, and output-coupling of the generated high harmonic light. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.