The Coulomb explosion of carbon dioxide in a 55 fs laser pulse of intensity
1.5-3 x 10(16) W cm(-2) has been studied using a variety of techniques bas
ed on time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. Covariance mapping has been used to
identify Coulomb explosion channels and to measure the associated kinetic
energy release. By comparing time-of-flight spectra taken with linearly and
circularly polarized light, a clear signature of laser-induced reorientati
on is found, which is strongest for the lowest Coulombic channel. Ion-momen
tum imaging coupled with Monte Carlo simulation shows that the zero-point b
end-angle distribution is better preserved than for longer laser pulses. Ho
wever, some residue of the sequential processes dominant in much longer pul
ses is found.