this book is a topical update of pulsed laser deposition of thin films from 1994. since that time, pld as a technique has been used by numerous researchers from various backgournds and has found application in industrial, academic, and government laboratories. therefore, this new book ` s emphasis is on the state-of-the-art progress in the pld technique, the new materials that have grown, and the application areas to which they are being applied. opposed to the first book, which dealt with the technique of pld. there are no published texts that summarize the wide range of different pld applications areas that are either current or newly emerging. this is due partly to the breadth of activities and advances that span the field of optical devices, electronic materials, sensors and actuators, biomaterials and organic polymers. therefore every scientist, technologist and development engineer who has a need to grow and pattern, to apply and use thin film materials will regard this book as a must-have resource.