Two-dimensional ion-imaging of the angular distribution of fragments produced by photolysis of state-selected and oriented molecules

We use a combination of hexapole focusing and two‐dimensional ion imaging to study the direct photolysis of methyl iodide molecules. Hexapole focusing allows us to select the (JKM) rotational state and orient the molecule before it is photolyzed. Resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of the products of the photolysis and two‐dimensional imaging of the ions give us the internal energy and angular distribution of the fragments. Next to reporting results obtained with the photolysis of methyl iodide molecules we would like to discuss some future objects of study. Dissociation of linear triatomic molecules like BrCN, N2O and OCS results in rotationally highly excited diatomic fragments. The dynamics on the anisotropic excited state potentials can be revealed into much greater detail with oriented parents as compared to the conventional studies with isotropic parents. © 1995 American Institute of Physics