  We demonstrate the measurement and manipulation of the temperature of cold CO
molecules in a microchip environment. Through the use of time-resolved spatial
imaging, we are able to observe the phase-space distribution of the molecules,
and hence deduce the corresponding temperature. We do this both by observing
the expansion of the molecular ensemble in time and through the use of
numerical trajectory simulations. Furthermore, we demonstrate the adiabatic
cooling of the trapped molecular sample and discuss this process.
