Roles of resonances and recollisions in strong-field atomic phenomena:: Above-threshold ionization -: art. no. 053405

We present the results of a set of quantal and classical calculations designed for simulating the photoelectron spectra observed when atoms are submitted to an intense laser field. We have concentrated the discussion on the range of parameters where conspicuous enhancements are observed in the high-energy part of the above-threshold ionization (ATI) spectra. Our results confirm that these enhancements result from a resonant transfer of population into the Rydberg states. Subsequent multiple returns, with elastic or inelastic recollisions of the electrons with the nucleus, when they are released in the continuum, also play an essential part. Our analysis highlights also the similarities as well as the differences observed in simulations, depending on the choice of the model potential, i.e., if it is either long range (Coulomb-like) or short range (with an exponentially decreasing tail).