Observation of non-odd order harmonics by sub-2-cycle laser pulses

High order harmonics generation from argon gas was comprehensively investigated by using multi-cycle and few-cycle laser pulses. Non-odd order harmonics were observed for sub-5-fs pulses, compare to the normal odd-order harmonics in the multi-cycle case. Theoretic analysis shows that the new spectral structure origins from the asymmetry of laser field in few-cycle pulses. This asymmetry induced both amplitude and phase difference between attosecond pulses from consecutive half-cycle of the laser field, which change the interference property of attosecond pulses and result in complex spectrum.