Role of Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Excitation in High-Harmonic Generation of N-2: A Time-Dependent Density-Functional-Theory Study

A minimum at ∼39 eV is observed in the high-harmonic-generation spectra of N2 for several laser intensities and frequencies. This minimum appears to be invariant for different molecular orientations. We reproduce this minimum for a set of laser parameters and orientations in time-dependent density-functional-theory calculations, which also render orientation-dependent maxima at 23–26 eV. Photon energies of these maxima overlap with ionization potentials of excited states observed in photoelectron spectra. Time profile analysis shows that these maxima are caused by resonance-enhanced multiphoton excitation. We propose a four-step mechanism, in which an additional excitation step is added to the well-accepted three-step model. Excitation to a linear combination of Rydberg states c′ 4 1 + u and c3 1 u gives rise to an orientation-invariant minimum analogous to the “Cooper minimum” in argon. When the molecular axis is parallel to the polarization direction of the field, a radial node goes through the atomic centers, and hence the Cooper-like minimum coincides with the minimum predicted by a modified two-center interference model that considers the de-excitation of the ion and symmetry of the Rydberg orbital.