A comprehensive overview of the applications of UV lasers in materials science, first published in 1996.This volume provides the first comprehensive overview of the modern use of ultroviolet laser radiation in the processing of materials. UV lasers combine the ability to vaporize the most refractory of materials with the precision to ablate micron-sized holes in insulating solids, polymers, semiconductors and superconductors and perform corrective surgery of the human eye. An invaluable source-book of current information for engineers, scientists, researchers and students in the rapidly developing field of laser applications, this book will also form a valuable supplementary text for graduate courses in materials science.This volume provides the first comprehensive overview of the modern use of ultroviolet laser radiation in the processing of materials. UV lasers combine the ability to vaporize the most refractory of materials with the precision to ablate micron-sized holes in insulating solids, polymers, semiconductors and superconductors and perform corrective surgery of the human eye. An invaluable source-book of current information for engineers, scientists, researchers and students in the rapidly developing field of laser applications, this book will also form a valuable supplementary text for graduate courses in materials science.This volume provides the first comprehensive overview of the modern use of ultraviolet laser radiation in the processing of materials. Lasers operating at ultraviolet wavelengths combine the ability to vaporize the most refractory of materials with the precision to ablate micron-sized holes in polymers and remove thin layers from the cornea for corrective surgery of the human eye. This book explores the use of UV laser radiation for the ablation and deposition of metals, insulating solids, polymers, semiconductors and superconductors. It emphasizes the physical mechanisms accompanying these processes and the conversion of intense UV rlSÜ