Efficient generation of moderately high harmonics by multiphoton resonant excitation of atoms

The coherent scattering spectrum of a three-level atom driven by an intense laser field with multiphoton resonant excitation is considered. The spectrum corresponding to harmonic generation is investigated both analytically and numerically for different initial atomic states. The analytical calculations are based on the generalized rotating wave approximation, which allows one to explain obtained spectra containing in general both even and odd harmonics. The results applied to the hydrogen atom show that one can achieve efficient generation of moderately high harmonics using multiphoton resonant excitation by appropriate laser pulses.