Probing filamentation dynamics with strong field processes

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The nonlinear propagation of ultrashort laser pulses has become one of the fastest growing and most exciting areas in science and technology. Of particular interest is the free unguided propagation in gaseous media where complex dynamical spatio-temporal phenomena are observed which result in femtosecond laser filaments.In this project we will develop methodology to elucidate the ultrafast nonlinear dynamics of temporal and spatial pulse reshaping. The main innovation which will be explored is the use of strong field effects like high-order harmonic generation (HHG) or above threshold ionization (ATI) for the localized detection of dynamical processes like sub-cycle pulses and their properties. Breakthroughs are expected by highly accurate quantitative measurements of the filamentation dynamics which will allow pushing the current understanding of macroscopic as well as microscopic contributions to the role of higher-order nonlinear processes in filamentation.In turn harmonic radiation from filaments allows for the first time to draw connections from filamentation research to attosecond physics. In particular we will investigate the HHG on attosecond time scales and the possibility to scale the emission towards high photon energies. Finally we propose the controlled amplification of the broad bandwidth XUV radiation using low-charged plasma generated from a liquid water droplet in order to meet the requirements for nonlinear attosecond applications experiments demanding high power levels.