Abstract: A method of reducing residual stresses in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate having at least one free edge includes the step of heating a region adjacent the free edge using a platen for a time period sufficient to form a localized melt zone of the thermoplastic in the region. The heating step is however done under a sufficient pressure to prevent delamination of the laminate. After this is done, the region is cooled for a time period and under a pressure sufficient using a platen to solidify the region and to prevent the lamination thereof.

Abstract: Photodissociation of molecules in a known energy level is conducted by raising the molecules from that energy level to a predetermined energy level in the continuum above the dissociation energy of the molecule, along a plurality of different routes. Each route requires at least one frequency of coherent electromagnetic radiation. By simultaneous application of the coherent radiation pertaining to one route and the coherent radiation pertaining to another route, and variation of the relative phase and/or relative amplitude of the simultaneously applied radiations, control over the degree to which respective photodissociation pathways are adopted can be exercised, so as to control the relative amounts of different photodissociation products which can be formed.