First-principles simulation of intense single-cycle ultrashort light pulses interacting with diamond: Comparison study in attosecond and femtosecond regimes

The interaction of intense single-cycle ultrashort (0.1 to 9 fs) light pulses with diamond crystal and thin film is simulated, combining the dependent Kohn-Sham equation with the Maxwell equations. Distinct features are observed depending on the duration of the pulse. In the diamond crystal, maximum energy transfer from light pulse is observed with a pulse duration 0.3 fs. In this case, the phase of current density J(t) coincides with that of the electric field E(t). For the incident pulse of duration 0.1 fs, most of the light will transmit on passing the thin film. But for the pulse of duration 0.5 fs, there is more reflection than transmission. For light pulses of durations 7 and 9 fs in diamond crystal, traditional nonlinear behavior of energy transfer are observed. Interestingly, for the attosecond pulse, there is a linear scaling behavior with the pulse intensity below 1016W/cm2 on the one hand and an unusual linear dynamic interference response behavior with the pulse width, determined by the interference of the different quantum pathways, on the other hand.