Laser applications to chemical and environmental analysis: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 14 papers that describe recent advances of laser techniques, including instrumentation, application in combustion research, and detection of pollutants. Most of these contributions were presented at the Eighth Optical Society of America Topical Meeting on Laser Applications to Chemical and Environmental Analysis (8th LACEA), held in Boulder, Colorado, 7-10 February, 2002.