Wake effects in the evolution of fast molecular ions through thin foils

In order to improve the geometrical characterization of molecular ions using the Coulomb Explosion Imaging method, we discuss the need to include wake effects in a full description of the interactions felt by the swift dissociated atomic ions moving through thin foils. Comparison of simulations and experimental results for the structure of diatomic (HD+) and triatomic (CH2+) molecular ions is significantly improved when including the polarization effects induced in the target by the passage of swift ions. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.