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 laser–solid 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.