Liquids have long remained a mystery when it comes to their behavior under intense laser fields. Unlike gases and solids, little is known about the light-induced processes in liquids. However, a recent study conducted by an international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg and ETH Zurich has shed light on this phenomenon. Their findings, published in Nature Physics, reveal the unique behavior of liquids and open the door to a deeper understanding of ultrafast dynamics in these complex systems.

Using intense laser fields to generate high-energy photons, known as high-harmonic generation (HHG), the researchers were able to investigate electron dynamics in liquids. This technique, widely used in various scientific areas, has primarily been studied in gases and crystals. However, this study marks the first experiment of high-harmonic spectroscopy in liquids.

The researchers discovered a distinctive behavior when liquids were irradiated by intense lasers. Unlike gases and solids, the maximum photon energy obtained through HHG in liquids was found to be independent of the laser’s wavelength. This raised the question of what factor was responsible for this upper limit.

The MPSD Theory group set out to solve the mystery behind the upper limit of photon energy in liquids. Through their research, they identified a crucial factor that had not been previously uncovered. The distance an electron can travel in the liquid before colliding with another particle, known as the effective electron mean free path, was found to determine this upper limit.

Thanks to a specifically developed analytical model, the researchers were able to retrieve the effective electron mean free path from the experimental data. This model accurately accounted for the scattering of the electrons, allowing for a deeper understanding of the liquid’s behavior under intense laser fields.

By combining the experimental and theoretical results, the scientists not only discovered the key factor determining the maximum photon energy but also established high-harmonic spectroscopy as a new tool to study liquids. This breakthrough provides researchers with a novel approach to investigate the dynamics of electrons in liquids.

The findings of this study have significant implications for our understanding of ultrafast dynamics in liquids. With high-harmonic spectroscopy now available as a tool for studying liquids, researchers can delve deeper into the behavior of electrons and gain insights into the complex processes occurring in these systems.

Looking ahead, future research can focus on expanding the scope of high-harmonic spectroscopy in liquids. Exploring different types of liquids and varying experimental conditions can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the behavior of electrons. Additionally, investigating the connection between the effective electron mean free path and other properties of liquids could provide further insights into their dynamics.

The recent study by the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter and ETH Zurich has provided valuable insights into the behavior of liquids under intense laser fields. By uncovering the crucial factor determining the maximum photon energy and establishing high-harmonic spectroscopy as a new tool, this research paves the way for future advancements in understanding the ultrafast dynamics of electrons in liquids.

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