Quantum Theory of High Harmonic Generation via Above Threshold Ionization and Stimulated Recombination

Fully quantum treatment explicitly presents the high harmonic generation as a three-stage process: above threshold ionization (ATI) is followed by the continuum electron propagation in a laser field and subsequent stimulated recombination back into the initial state. The contributions of all ATI channels add up coherently. All three stages of the process are described by simple, mostly analytical expressions. A very good quantitative agreement with the previous calculations on the harmonic generation by H$^-$ ion is demonstrated, thus supplementing the conceptual significance of the theory with its practical efficiency.