Time-resolved spectroscopy of plasma plumes: A versatile approach for optimization of high-order harmonic generation in laser plasma

The time-resolved studies of laser-produced Ag, In, Pt, V, Mn, and Ga plasmas are presented from the point of view of plasma application as the nonlinear optical medium for high-order harmonic generation of laser radiation. We show that optimization of plasma formation using this technique allows the enhancement of harmonic generation efficiency and extension of maximal harmonic order.