On the aims of this book

The goal of this book is to present in a coherent way the problems of the laser control of matter at the atomic-molecular level, namely, control of the velocity distribution of atoms and molecules (saturation Doppler-free spectroscopy) control of the absolute velocity of atoms (laser cooling) control of the orientation, position, and direction of motion of atoms (laser trapping of atoms, and atom optics) control of the coherent behavior of ultracold (quantum) gases laser-induced photoassociation of cold atoms, photoselective ionization of atoms photoselective multiphoton dissociation of simple and polyatomic molecules (vibrationally or electronically excited) multiphoton photoionization and mass spectrometry of molecules and femtosecond coherent control of the photoionization of atoms and photodissociation of molecules. 

All of these methods are developing rapidly but more or less separately from one another. The material of the book brings together various trends in the development of the laser control of atoms and molecules and summarizes an enormous number of scattered publications. However, the references cited are restricted to the pioneering, key papers, major reviews, and books in the particular fields. 

The book is addressed to readers familiar with the elements of physics, spectroscopy, and quantum mechanics. It can be used as a handbook for graduate students, for scientists entering the field, and in some aspects, for science historians as well. A reading of the book will allow readers to familiarize themselves with the fi ontier level of research and its developments. 

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