Angle-resolved covariance mapping of spatially-aligned CO22+ in an intensepicosecond laser field

Angle-resolved covariance mapping has been applied to measure the angular d istributions of C+-O+ and CO+-O+ ion pairs resulting from double ionization of CO2 using picosecond-duration, linearly-polarized laser pulses of inten sity similar to 10(13) W cm(-2). CO22+ is spatially aligned along the laser polarization vector much more efficiently than CO2+. The field-induced dip ole moment of the dication is calculated to be 21% more than that of the ca tion. The following sequence of events is inferred upon immersion of CO2 in the intense field: ionization and double ionization --> spatial alignment --> dissociation.