Laser Applications in Chemistry

Abstract

Whereas spectroscopists, reaction dynamicists and physicists employ lasers with great success, chemists still show some reserves concerning this light source. Chemistry is notedly an application oriented science and, for the chemist, the energy from this extremely coherent light source is expensive. Thus owing to economic reasons the awaited breakthrough of lasers in chemical industry in fields such as laser induced chemical reactions, isotope separation or synthesis has not yet occurred. However, recent developments in laser technology have brought to the chemist’s most useful laser - the excimer laser - a considerable reduction in the cost of a photon. Should this trend continue, application of lasers in “real chemistry” will ultimately become a reality.