New Laser-Based and Imaging Methods for Studying the Dynamics of Molecular Collisions

The application of a wide variety of new techniques to studies of collision dynamics has changed our understanding of how molecular processes depend on such parameters as the initial state of reactants, the internal state of products, and the distance and angle of approach between two reactants. This article reviews the new techniques and places emphasis on those that allow the final velocity distribution of products to be determined of a function on the above-mentioned parameters.