Desorption of CO from Cu(100) by femtosecond laser pulses was investigated using state and time-resolved techniques. The results are well described by two models based on frictional coupling between the CO and the substrate degrees of freedom: an empirical, 1D model, and recent, full-dimensionality, molecular dynamics calculations.

• Received 19 July 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.4576