Photophysical processes on a surface studied by laser methods

Principles and ultimate potentialities of laser diagnostics are expanded for absorption systems taking photodesorption of alkali metal atoms from a surface of transparent dielectrics and photoevaporation of metal surface as an example. A possibility is shown to record extra-low atomic fluxes, time-of-flight spectra of desorbed atoms, surface atoms' concentration at a sub- monolayer coating, adsorption energies and sticking coefficients of atoms impacting the surface, as well as processes of atoms' surface diffusion and their condensation on the surface. Feasibilities of using laser diagnostics for molecular systems' studies are discussed.