Lasers in Analytical Spectroscopy

I. INTRODUCTION The authors of this review will attempt to present the major advances (up to April 1980) in laser spectrometry, particularly those since the excellent review of Steinfeld1 in 1975. However, in order to have a consistent treatment, some of the significant articles published prior to 1975 will also be referenced; no attempt will be made to be exhaustive. In addition, we apologize because some of the significant papers, due to oversight, will undoubtedly be omitted. The authors, however, do not intend this review to be a tutorial in laser principles or operation or even on spectroscopic principles or instrumentation, but rather a review of the analytical uses of lasers, including some of the critical aspects of instrumentation and analytical figures of merit.