Quasi-periodic and random quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation

Quasi-phase matching schemes employing quasi-periodic or random spatial modulations, previously applied to perturbative nonlinear optics, are demonstrated theoretically for the extreme nonlinear optical process of high harmonic generation. We show that quasi-periodic quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation can be used for simultaneous enhancement of arbitrarily chosen spectral regions. We also demonstrate enhancement of a single extremely wide bandwidth using random quasi-phase matching. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.