Imaging in Chemical Dynamics: The State of the Art

Abstract

We present a snapshot of the rapidly growing field of imaging-based probes of chemical dynamics. This chapter is broadly divided into two sections corresponding to the two fundamentally distinct experimental approaches. The first concerns 'ion imaging' and the more recent variant 'velocity map imaging', characterized by the use of phosphor screens viewed by CCD cameras. The second approach may be considered event-wise data acquisition, in which a variety of techniques are used to obtain both time and position data for each event, often in coincidence applications. We provide a brief historical overview and highlight significant current advances showcasing the broad range of applicability of these powerful techniques. We conclude with some thoughts on the future promise of imaging methods in chemical dynamics.