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New column: Topics in laser spectroscopy
Spechochunica Ada, Vol. 43B, Nos 6/l, Printed in Great Bntain.
pp. 71 I-712,
1988
0584-8547/88 $3.00 + 0.00 Rrgamoa Press plc
EDITORIAL New column: Topics in Laser Spectroscopy AN EDITORIAL in Spectrochimica Acta, 42B, 727 (1987), announced a new column: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy”, with Professor K. NIEMAX. Dortmund (F.R.G.) as Guest-Editor. The purpose of the present EDITORIAL is to provide more information on this column and to focus the readers’ attention to the first review published in this scope. The use of lasers in analytical spectroscopy is far from new. We might just mention some well-known books, which cover a variety of uses of lasers in fundamental research and applied analysis: Ana!vtical Laser Spectroscopy, Lasers in Chemical Am&is, Laser Analytical Spectroscopy, Anabtical
Applications
Laser Spectroscopy
edited by N. OMENETTO [l], edited by G.M. HIEFTJE. J.C. TRAVIS. and F.E. LYTLE [2]. edited by V.S. LETOKHOV [3],
of Lasers, edited by ES. PIEPMEIER [4],
and Its Applications,
edited by L.J. RADZIEMSKI. R.W.
SOLARZ.
and
J.A. PAISNER [5]. Also, articles involving the use of lasers in spectroscopy are frequently published in this journal. Why therefore starting with a new column: “Topics in Laser SpectroscopJf’? The prime reason is to promote communication on the use or potential use of lasers for analytical spectroscopy, in particular, communication between physicists and physical chemists, on the one hand, and analytical chemists and spectrochemists, on the other. The literature on laser spectroscopy often gives the impression that various developments in this field rejoice considerable progress, which. however, is hardly known outside the circles where the investigations are made. Some of these developments appear to have proceeded so far that analytical applications have been documented or have reached a level where they could inspire analytical innovation, or exploration by analytical chemists. Clearly, wide-spread analytical follow-up requires awareness of the potentials among analytical chemists. Promoting such follow-ups is the principal goal of highlighting laser spectroscopy in the new column in this journal. However, follow-up cannot result exclusively from one-way traffic and it would be naive to assume that the occasional publication of a few articles featuring areas of laser spectroscopy would automatically create circumstances in which spectrochemists pick up ideas and start the development of new analytical methods. Exploring and designing new analytical methods, in particular when these have their origin in not commonly known physical principles and in addition require complex or unconventional instrumentation. demands for close interaction between physicists and spectrochemists. This is so because the former are well acquainted with the physical basis of the technique and the operation of the devices and equipment involved, while the latter are familiar with the analytical methodology in general and the pitfalls of real sample analysis in particular. Therefore. our target is to make the new column: “Topics in Laser SpectroscopyP a forum where both “parties” can display their knowledge, expertise, achievements. problems. disappointments, and even doubts. Spectrochimica Acta, Part B is ever more recognized as THE leading journal in analytical atomic spectroscopy. The introduction of the new column fits in with our strategy to consolidate this position and the prestige of the journal and to strive continuously to further improvements in the service that Spectrochimica Acta, Part B, renders authors and readers. The present issue brings the first review in the scope of the new column. This invited review covers one of the laser methods for single atom detection: Resonance Zonization Specrroscopj* (RlSj. It has been written by G.S. HURST and M.G. PA\-NE. authorities in this field. whose groups originated RIS. The review is preceded by a brief curriculum vitae of each author. SA(B)43-6/7-A
711
Editorial
712
The publication of more reviews of this type can be envisaged. We should emphasize, however, that the type of articles to be published in the column: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy“ should not be confined to occasional reviews. The purpose of publishing the reviews is to introduce the subjects and to encourage the publication of original work on these topics in Spectrochimica Acta, Part 3. We actually wish to develop the column into a feature which keeps the readers informed about progress in this field and makes authors feel “at home” in Spectrochimica Acta, Part B, as the journal that offers them an eager readership and an inspiring response. The recent past has already seen the publication of original work on Laser Enhanced Ionization (LEI) under the “flag”: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy” [6], while other articles [7,8] fitting the scope of this column were published as regular papers just before the start of the column. We hope that many authors involved in laser spectrosopy will follow these examples and thus discover and experience the benefits of publishing their work in Spectrochimica Acta, Part B.
P.W.J.M. BOUMANS,Editor-in-Chief K. NIEMAX,Guest-Editor [I] N. Omenetto, ed.. Ana&ttcaZ Laser Spectroscopy. Wiley, New York (1979). [2] G.M. Hieftje, J.C. Travis, and F.E. Lytle. eds.. Lasers m Chemical Analysis. The Humana Press, Clifton. NJ (1981). [3] V.S. Letokhoy. ed.. Laser Analytical Spectroscopy. Adam Hilger, Bristol (1985). [4] E.S. Piepmeier. ed., Ana!vtical Applications of Lasers.Wiley, New York (1986). [S] L.J. Radziemski. R.W. Solarz. and J.A. Paher. Laser Spectroscopy and Its Applications. Marcel Dekker, New York. Base1 (1987). [6] 1. Magnusson. Specrrochim. Aeta 42B. 11I3 (19871. [7] N. Omenetto. G.C. Turk, M. Rutledge. and J.D. Winefordner, S~ectrochim. Acta 42B, 807 (1987). [8] G.C. Turk. 0. Axner. and N. Omenetto, Spectrochm. kta 42B, 873 (1987).
pp. 71 I-712,
1988
0584-8547/88 $3.00 + 0.00 Rrgamoa Press plc
EDITORIAL New column: Topics in Laser Spectroscopy AN EDITORIAL in Spectrochimica Acta, 42B, 727 (1987), announced a new column: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy”, with Professor K. NIEMAX. Dortmund (F.R.G.) as Guest-Editor. The purpose of the present EDITORIAL is to provide more information on this column and to focus the readers’ attention to the first review published in this scope. The use of lasers in analytical spectroscopy is far from new. We might just mention some well-known books, which cover a variety of uses of lasers in fundamental research and applied analysis: Ana!vtical Laser Spectroscopy, Lasers in Chemical Am&is, Laser Analytical Spectroscopy, Anabtical
Applications
Laser Spectroscopy
edited by N. OMENETTO [l], edited by G.M. HIEFTJE. J.C. TRAVIS. and F.E. LYTLE [2]. edited by V.S. LETOKHOV [3],
of Lasers, edited by ES. PIEPMEIER [4],
and Its Applications,
edited by L.J. RADZIEMSKI. R.W.
SOLARZ.
and
J.A. PAISNER [5]. Also, articles involving the use of lasers in spectroscopy are frequently published in this journal. Why therefore starting with a new column: “Topics in Laser SpectroscopJf’? The prime reason is to promote communication on the use or potential use of lasers for analytical spectroscopy, in particular, communication between physicists and physical chemists, on the one hand, and analytical chemists and spectrochemists, on the other. The literature on laser spectroscopy often gives the impression that various developments in this field rejoice considerable progress, which. however, is hardly known outside the circles where the investigations are made. Some of these developments appear to have proceeded so far that analytical applications have been documented or have reached a level where they could inspire analytical innovation, or exploration by analytical chemists. Clearly, wide-spread analytical follow-up requires awareness of the potentials among analytical chemists. Promoting such follow-ups is the principal goal of highlighting laser spectroscopy in the new column in this journal. However, follow-up cannot result exclusively from one-way traffic and it would be naive to assume that the occasional publication of a few articles featuring areas of laser spectroscopy would automatically create circumstances in which spectrochemists pick up ideas and start the development of new analytical methods. Exploring and designing new analytical methods, in particular when these have their origin in not commonly known physical principles and in addition require complex or unconventional instrumentation. demands for close interaction between physicists and spectrochemists. This is so because the former are well acquainted with the physical basis of the technique and the operation of the devices and equipment involved, while the latter are familiar with the analytical methodology in general and the pitfalls of real sample analysis in particular. Therefore. our target is to make the new column: “Topics in Laser SpectroscopyP a forum where both “parties” can display their knowledge, expertise, achievements. problems. disappointments, and even doubts. Spectrochimica Acta, Part B is ever more recognized as THE leading journal in analytical atomic spectroscopy. The introduction of the new column fits in with our strategy to consolidate this position and the prestige of the journal and to strive continuously to further improvements in the service that Spectrochimica Acta, Part B, renders authors and readers. The present issue brings the first review in the scope of the new column. This invited review covers one of the laser methods for single atom detection: Resonance Zonization Specrroscopj* (RlSj. It has been written by G.S. HURST and M.G. PA\-NE. authorities in this field. whose groups originated RIS. The review is preceded by a brief curriculum vitae of each author. SA(B)43-6/7-A
711
Editorial
712
The publication of more reviews of this type can be envisaged. We should emphasize, however, that the type of articles to be published in the column: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy“ should not be confined to occasional reviews. The purpose of publishing the reviews is to introduce the subjects and to encourage the publication of original work on these topics in Spectrochimica Acta, Part 3. We actually wish to develop the column into a feature which keeps the readers informed about progress in this field and makes authors feel “at home” in Spectrochimica Acta, Part B, as the journal that offers them an eager readership and an inspiring response. The recent past has already seen the publication of original work on Laser Enhanced Ionization (LEI) under the “flag”: “Topics in Laser Spectroscopy” [6], while other articles [7,8] fitting the scope of this column were published as regular papers just before the start of the column. We hope that many authors involved in laser spectrosopy will follow these examples and thus discover and experience the benefits of publishing their work in Spectrochimica Acta, Part B.
P.W.J.M. BOUMANS,Editor-in-Chief K. NIEMAX,Guest-Editor [I] N. Omenetto, ed.. Ana&ttcaZ Laser Spectroscopy. Wiley, New York (1979). [2] G.M. Hieftje, J.C. Travis, and F.E. Lytle. eds.. Lasers m Chemical Analysis. The Humana Press, Clifton. NJ (1981). [3] V.S. Letokhoy. ed.. Laser Analytical Spectroscopy. Adam Hilger, Bristol (1985). [4] E.S. Piepmeier. ed., Ana!vtical Applications of Lasers.Wiley, New York (1986). [S] L.J. Radziemski. R.W. Solarz. and J.A. Paher. Laser Spectroscopy and Its Applications. Marcel Dekker, New York. Base1 (1987). [6] 1. Magnusson. Specrrochim. Aeta 42B. 11I3 (19871. [7] N. Omenetto. G.C. Turk, M. Rutledge. and J.D. Winefordner, S~ectrochim. Acta 42B, 807 (1987). [8] G.C. Turk. 0. Axner. and N. Omenetto, Spectrochm. kta 42B, 873 (1987).