Attosecond control of electron correlations in one-photon ionization and recombination

Electron-electron interactions in multielectron systems may cause multiple ionic channels to contribute to amplitudes of ionization or radiative recombination, giving rise to interfering pathways to the same final state. These channels are not individually observable in standard weak-field experiments, where they all contribute to the same final-state resolved cross section. We show how one can use strong laser fields to control the timing of electron-electron interactions. We demonstrate that the relative phases of the direct and correlation channels can be manipulated by a strong infrared field, permitting experimental separation of the individual contributions. The control phase can be calibrated using the attosecond streak camera. The required control conditions are achieved at the rising edge of the giant resonance in the Xe atom.