Generation of broadband VUV light using third-order cascaded processes art. no. 013601

We report the first demonstration of broadband VUV light generation through cascaded nonlinear wave mixing in a gas. Using a hollow-fiber geometry to achieve broad-bandwidth phase-matching, frequency conversion of ultrashort- pulse Ti:sapphire laser pulses from the visible into the deep UV around 200 and 160 nm is achieved. A new type of quasi-phase-matching is also observe d in the VUV for the first time. Conversion using cascaded processes exhibi ts higher efficiencies, shorter pulse durations, and broader bandwidths tha n other schemes for generating light in the deep UV. and will enable many a pplications in science and technology.