This tutorial introduces strong-field-driven high-order harmonics, their experimental generation and characterization techniques, and their main applications including attosecond pulse generation and ultrafast spectroscopy of the target material. We begin from the use of atomic targets, where the first high-order harmonic generation (HHG) experiments were realized in the late 1980s. Then, we briefly discuss the basics of the microscopic generation mechanism and how various steps of the mechanism were exploited in applications such as generating isolated attosecond pulses and probing molecular orbitals. We introduce and describe the standard experimental approaches for condensed phase HHG, where we discuss unique technical challenges of the use of solid-state materials, such as the mitigation of plasma formation and laser damage. We cover the fundamentals of high-harmonic spectroscopy in condensed matter systems, such as wide bandgap dielectrics, semiconductors, liquid media, and 2D-crystals. We provide some examples of rapidly emerging spectroscopic capabilities, such as for probing crystal symmetries, Berry phases, and associated non-trivial topological properties of the source material. Finally, we provide an overview of the research field, including some of the challenges, opportunities, and open questions.
Ghimire et al. (Sun,) studied this question.