Spatially and spectrally resolved quantum-path tracing in high-order harmonic generation.

We experimentally demonstrate the macroscopic evolution of quantum-path distributions in harmonic emission with spatial and spectral resolution from an argon gas jet, and obviously observe that the spatial profiles of harmonics are gradually split into two components (the red and blue shifts) when the driving laser intensity is increased. Moreover, the red and blue shifts in quantum-path distributions are experimentally traced and clarified in the spatial and spectral domain by choosing the focal position. These results give a more comprehensive understanding and therefore a better control of harmonic emission. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America