Electron correlations observed through intensity interferometry: study of model initial state wave functions

Recently, a new method of analysing electron correlations based on intensity interferometry has been applied to double ionization of He and Ne by fast ion impact [1]. The data reveal sensitively correlation effects while they appear to be very insensitive to the collision dynamics. In order to analyse the role of the initial state electron correlation a statistically defined correlation function based on intensity interferometry was calculated for the ground state of He. In a comparative study of model wave functions we demonstrate that correlation can be considered from a statistical point of view which offers a new tool to study correlation effects in many-particle systems. (orig.)