Pulsed-laser-induced desorption from metal surfaces

The desorption of molecules and molecular fragments adsorbed on solid metal surfaces stimulated by pulsed-laser radiation is the basic process involved in a variety of new techniques for the controlled modification of surface composition, for the analysis of adsorbed monolayers, and for fundamental investigations of the dynamics of molecule-surface interactions. In this short review we highlight the current status of the understanding of lasersolid surface and of laser-adsorbate interactions that lead to desorption and describe both the demonstrated and potential applications of laser-induced thermal desorption for studies of surface chemistry.