Optimization of N₂⁺ lasing by waveform-controlled polarization-skewed pulses

Optical ionization of N₂ and subsequent population redistribution among the ground and excited states of N⁺₂ in an intense laser field are commonly accepted to be fundamentally responsible for the generation of N⁺₂ lasing. By finely controlling this two-step process, the optimization of N⁺₂ lasing is possibly achieved. Here, we design a waveform-controlled polarization-skewed (PS) pumping pulse, in which the leading and falling edges are orthogonally polarized, and their relative field strength and phase can be well controlled. We demonstrate that precise manipulation of the N⁺₂ lasing at 391 nm and 428 nm emissions can be achieved by modulating both the relative phase and amplitudes of the two orthogonally polarized components of the pumping PS pulse. We find that the optimization of N⁺₂ lasing depends not only on the competitive balance between the ionization and post-ionization coupling that varies in different pumping energies but also on the phase with the maximum intensity appearing at the phase of nπ. Orders of magnitude enhancement in the N⁺₂ lasing intensity is observed as the phase changes from (n + 1/2)π to nπ. The PS pulse with a controllable spatiotemporal waveform provides us a robust and straightforward tool to efficiently enhance the N⁺₂ lasing emission.