A universal approach to saddle-point methods in attosecond science

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2510.12545v1
• Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:08:06 GMT
• Title: A universal approach to saddle-point methods in attosecond science
• Authors: Anne Weber, Job Feldbrugge, Emilio Pisanty,
• Abstract summary: We introduce Picard-Lefschetz theory as a universal and robust link between the time integrals and the semi-classical trajectories.<n>We study Stokes transitions and spectral caustics arising in HHG driven by two-colour laser fields.<n>We set the foundation for a rigorous application of quantum-orbit based approaches in attosecond science.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Light-matter interactions within the strong-field regime, where intense laser fields can ionise a target via tunnelling, give rise to fascinating phenomena such as the generation of high-order harmonic radiation (HHG). On the atomic scale, these strong-field processes are described in terms of highly-oscillatory time integrals which are often approximated using saddle-point methods. These methods simultaneously simplify the calculations and let us understand the physical processes in terms of semi-classical electron trajectories, or quantum orbits. However, applying saddle-point methods for HHG driven by polychromatic laser fields without clear dynamical symmetries has remained challenging. Here we introduce Picard-Lefschetz theory as a universal and robust link between the time integrals and the semi-classical trajectories. The continuous deformation of the integration contour towards so-called Lefschetz thimbles allows an exact evaluation of the integral, as well as the identification of relevant quantum orbits, for arbitrary driving fields. The latter is realised via the ``necklace algorithm'', a novel solution to the open problem of determining the relevance of saddle points for a two-dimensional integral, which we introduce here. We demonstrate the versatility and rigour of Picard-Lefschetz methods by studying Stokes transitions and spectral caustics arising in HHG driven by two-colour laser fields. For example, we showcase a quantum-orbit analysis of the colour switchover, which links the regime of perturbative two-colour fields with that of fully bichromatic driving fields. With this work, we set the foundation for a rigorous application of quantum-orbit based approaches in attosecond science that enables the interpretation of state-of-the-art experimental setups, and guides the design of future ones.

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