The third international conference devoted to picosecond phenomena was held June 16-18, 1982 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany. Scientists from widely varying disciplines, physicists, chemists, biologists, and engineers came together to share their common interest in picosecond and subpicosecond processes. The meeting attracted approximately 250 scientists from numerous countries around the globe. More than .100 papers were concerned with the latest advances in the ex- perimental and theoretical understanding of ultrafast phenomena. New dis- coveries in femtosecond and picosecond pulse generation and new results in chemical dynamics, solid-state physics, and nonlinear optics were presented. The quality of the scientific reports, the enthusiasm of the participating scientists, as well as the magnificent surroundings of the Bavarian alps guaranteed a successful and pleasant conference. Numerous people have helped to make the conference a success. Special thanks are due to Carin von Oberkamp for dOing a superb job in implementing the meeting arrangements and to the program committee for the selection and organisation of the scientific presentations. The financial support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and of the Bayerische Staatsministerium fUr Unterricht und Kultur is gratefully ack- nowledged.

For more than two decades time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy (TRVS) was only part of general conferences on solid-state physics, molecular spec- troscopy, photochemistry and photobiology. It was in 1982 when the first meeting on TRVS was organized at Lake Placid. The conference met a strong need among the workers in the field, and it was decided to continue with spe- cial conferences on this topic. The 2nd International Conference on Time-Resolved Vibrational Spec- troscopy was held June 3-i, 1985 at Bayreuth-Bischofsgrun, Germany. Sci- entists from many disciplines came together to discuss their common interest in time-resolved techniques and spectroscopic applications. The high qual- ity of the research presented, the enthusiasm of the participants, and the attractive surroundings combined to an enjoyable atmosphere. Ample time for discussions and the limited number of participants (approximately 100) stimulated the formal and informal exchange of ideas. "\'umerous people helped to make the conference run smoothly. Special thanks are due to Mrs. Lenich for making the technical arrangements, and to the program committee for the selection of the scientific presentations. The meeting has benefited from several financial souces. The generous sup- port by the Emil-Warburg-Stiftung was particularly helpful. Financial aid of the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft" and of the "Bayerisches Staatsmini- sterium fur U nterricht und K ultus" is also gratefully acknowledged.

The three volumes VIII/1A, B, C document the state of the art of "Laser Physics and Applications." Scientific trends and related technological aspects are considered by compiling results and conclusions from phenomenology, observation and experience. Reliable data, physical fundamentals and detailed references are presented. In the recent decades the laser beam source matured to a universal tool common to scientific research as well as to industrial use. Today a technical goal is the generation of optical power towards shorter wavelengths, shorter pulses and higher power for application in science and industry. Tailoring the optical energy in wavelength, space and time is a requirement for the investigation of laser-induced processes, i.e. excitation, non-linear amplification, storage of optical energy, etc. According to the actual trends in laser research and development, Vol. VIII/1 is split into three parts: Vol. VIII/1A with its two subvolumes 1A1 and 1A2 covers laser fundamentals, Vol. VIII/1B deals with laser systems and Vol. VIII/1C gives an overview on laser applications.

This second edition in paperback provides an up-to-date review of the state of the art in different generation processes for ultrashort laser pulses. Inaddition, extensive applications in a wide range of fields - in physics,engineering, chemistry, and biology - are discussed: Eight chapters dealwith the following topics: -the generation of picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses -nonlinear wave interactions - new investigations in solid-state physics - recent progress in optoelectronics - advances in coherent material excitations - ultrafast vibrational lifetimes and energy redistribution in liquids - new observations of chemical reactions in the liquid state - the primary processes of important biological systems The book is essential reading for scientists and engineers who want to know what is going on in this rapidly advancing field. It should also interest graduate students and others who seek an introduction to laserpulses.