DYNAMICS OF NONTHERMAL REACTIONS - FEMTOSECOND SURFACE-CHEMISTRY

Optically driven surface reactions are attracting an increasing level of attention in the physical chemistry community. Not only have there been recent advances in establishing the viability of laser driven surface reactions, but there has also been an increased awareness of the need to understand the underlying reaction mechanisms. The necessity of accounting for energy-transfer processes that occur on the femtosecond time scale is now apparent. In this review the experimental and theoretical basis of our current understanding is surveyed, and prospective areas of advancement are considered.