Researchers Create Attosecond Pulses Without Mode-Locking

Attosecond pulse trains are now generated without precisely aligning emitted harmonics, overturning classical theory. Sándor Varró and Ákos Gombkötő at the Wigner Research Centre for Physics have shown these pulses can be created by utilising newly defined quantum states called “attoquants” which exhibit intermodal entanglement. This occurs through collective atomic effects where atoms radiate indistinguishable harmonics at pressures around 10−5 Torr used in ion and electron experiments. A new method for creating attosecond pulse trains, extremely brief bursts of light, bypasses previously understood limitations within high-harmonic generation. Traditionally, generating these…