Spectrally resolved multi-channel contributions to the harmonic emission in N2

When generated in molecules, high-order harmonics can be emitted through different ionization channels. The coherent and ultrafast electron dynamics occurring in the ion during the generation process is directly imprinted in the harmonic signal, i.e. in its amplitude and spectral phase. In aligned N2 molecules, we find evidence for a fast variation of this phase as a function of the harmonic order when varying the driving laser intensity. Basing our analysis on a three-step model, we find that this phase variation is a signature of transitions from a single- to a multi-channel regime. In particular, we show that significant nuclear dynamics may occur in the ionization channels on the attosecond timescale, affecting both the amplitude and the phase of the harmonic signal. (paper)