OBSERVING MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS WITH TIMED COULOMB EXPLOSION IMAGING

The Coulomb explosion method for imaging molecular structure is combin ed with the femtosecond pump-probe technique. Thus the imaging method becomes flexible enough to determine molecular structure even in highl y excited or transient states as a function of time. Examples for the applicability of this method are given. The major concerns which could limit the reliability and the accuracy of the information extracted a re discussed and solutions proposed. In addition to observing time-dep endent structures, optically triggered Coulomb explosion imaging can b e used to identify unusual events in an ensemble of common but more fr equent events.