Industrial laser use expanding in the USSR

The effect of lasers on industrial procedures and the economy is discussed. Some applications of lasers in industry which are considered are laser thermal technology, laser control of industrial processes and large scale chemical production. Lasers are applied in such fields as biology, environmental protection, construction and irrigation works, communications, computer technology, printing and image recording and processing. Lasers also have applications toward the problem of controlling thermonuclear reactions. Objectives of laser application studies are outlined.