Laser Chemistry–What is Its Current Status?

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Abstract
In recent years, various methods have been developed to observe and to influence the course of chemical reactions using laser radiation. By selectively increasing the translational, rotational, and vibrational energies and by controlling the relative orientation of the reaction partners with tunable infrared and UV lasers, direct insight can be gained into the molecular course of the breaking and re‐forming of chemical bonds. Examples for the application of lasers include the synthesis of monomers such as vinyl chloride and polymers such as polyethylene, the synthesis of biologically active substances such as vitamin D3, the separation of isotopes, the removal of impurities, the production of catalysts, glasses, and ceramics, and the deposition and ablation of material on surfaces. Finally, several applications of lasers in medicine are discussed.