  We report theoretical calculations of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of
Xe with the inclusion of multi-electron effects and macroscopic propagation of
the fundamental and harmonic fields in an ionizing medium. By using the
time-frequency analysis we show that the reshaping of the fundamental laser
field is responsible for the continuum structure in the HHG spectra. We further
suggest a method for obtaining an isolated attosecond pulse (IAP) by using a
filter centered on axis to select the harmonics in the far field with different
divergence. We also discuss the carrier-envelope-phase dependence of an IAP and
the possibility to optimize the yield of the IAP. With the intense few-cycle
mid-infrared lasers, this offers a possible method for generating isolated
attosecond pulses.
