Laser light interactions with organic solids and their surfaces

Irradiation of solid surfaces with laser light of sufficient intensity results in drastic and explosive morphological changes. This general phenomenon is called laser ablation and has its nature tied to many mechanistic processes. Laser ablation has been intensely studied in order to understand the mechanisms involved. This review paper summarises and explains some key studies that have been carried out in order to enhance our understanding. Time-resolved spectroscopy and imaging methods that cast light on molecular processes and bulk material effects leading to morphological changes will be described. Laser ablation studies that have focussed on photochemistry and photophysics will be examined. As a special case of the laser ablation technique, the concepts of laser ablative transfer and laser induced molecular implantation technique will be introduced.