Author Description

This volume contains lectures and seminars presented at the Nato Advanced Study Institute on "Laser Applications to Chemistry" held at San Miniato (Pisa) Italy, June 27 - July 11, 1982. We would like to give our recognition to all who contributed to the superb scientific quality and to the stimulating atmosphere of this summer school. In particular, we thank all speakers and participants in the discussions. We acknowledge the great efforts of Tito Arecchi as the director of the school, and the assistance of Mrs. Maria Bonaria Petrone and Mrs. Giovanna Ravini in the or­ ganization of the conference. On behalf of all participants we thank Miss Iva Arecchi for the friendly care she has taken and for her profound guidance through its history and the arts of the Toscana during the excursions. We are in particular indebted to Giacinto Scoles who organ­ ized this meeting together with Karl L. Kompa. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Giacinto Scoles had to give up the idea of edit­ ing the proceedings of this meeting. Naturally, the change in the editorial staff caused a delay in the preparation of this volume. The subject of laser application to chemistry has not been review­ ed comprehensively in recent years. Many of the lectures andsem­ inars presented in San Miniato had the character of review arti­ cles. Therefore we feel that the material contained in this vol­ ume has not lost any of its actuality.