Electron correlation and interference effects in strong-field processes

Abstract: Several correlation and interference effects in strong-field physics are investigated. We show that the interference of continuum wave packets can be the dominant mechanism of high-harmonic generation (HHG) in the over-the-barrier regime. Next, we combine HHG with resonant x-ray excitation to force the recolliding continuum electron to recombine with a core hole rather than the valence hole from that it was previously tunnel ionized. The scheme opens up perspectives for nonlinear xuv physics, attosecond x-ray pulses, and spectroscopy of core orbitals. Then, a method is proposed to generate attochirp-free harmonic pulses by engineering the appropriate electron wave packet. Finally, resonant photoionization mechanisms involving two atoms are discussed which can dominate over the direct single-atom ionization channel at interatomic distances in the nanometer range.