Abstract: A method for exciting chemical bonds in molecules using an electromagnetic field includes the step of generating a plurality of electromagnetic oscillation modes. The oscillation modes redistributing respective mode energies between themselves. Energy derived from the redistributed mode energies is used to impart energy to at least one pair of electrons comprising a chemical bond, thus exciting these electrons. The process can be used even when all electrons are paired. The method can be used for synthesizing compounds, quantum mechanical pumping of chemical bonds and for characterization of materials. An apparatus for exciting chemical bonds in molecules using an electromagnetic field includes a structure for generating a plurality of electromagnetic oscillation modes, the oscillation modes redistributing respective mode energies between themselves.