Imaging the time-dependent structure of a molecule as it undergoes dynamics -: art. no. 052717

We image the dynamics of diatomic and triatomic molecules with sub-5 fs and sub-A resolution using laser Coulomb explosion imaging with 8 fs pulses. We obtain image information by measuring the vector momenta of all atomic ions produced by explosion of a single molecule. We image vibrating D-2(+) and of dissociating SO22+ and SO23+. Images taken at 0 and 60 fs show that the dissociation of SO22+ produces an SO+ rotational wave packet.