Imaging the pair-correlated excitation function: The F+CH4 -> HF(v ')+CH3 (nu=0) reaction

The velocity map ion imaging technique was applied to measure the reaction excitation function for the first time. It was found that the "raw" excitation function was significantly distorted by the density-to-flux transformation of the title reaction. Through a systematic investigation, possible reasons for such a dramatic effect are outlined. In addition, the state-resolved, pair-correlated excitation functions and branching ratios are presented. Effects of imperfect time slicing in the time-sliced velocity imaging technique in general are also discussed. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics