Quantum superposition of target and product states in reactive electron scattering from CF₄ revealed through velocity slice imaging

Exploiting the technique of velocity slice imaging, we have performed a detailed study of reactive electron scattering with CF₄. We have measured the electron impact energy dependence of both the angular and kinetic energy distributions of the channels yielding F^- and CF3- anions. These data provide an unprecedented insight into the quantum superposition of the target state and product channels, respectively, of T_d and C _3v symmetry, and shed new light on the dissociation dynamics.