Physicists revolutionized the scientific world when they invented the laser in 1960. During the next two decades, fruitful interplay occurred between theoreticians and experimentalists seeking progress in laser-selective chemistry. In the Early Era, defined as 1960∼1985, scientists gradually realized the immense complexity of the problem of performing tailored manipulations at the molecular scale. However, their efforts opened the doors to a new, broader scientific field of research called quantum control which developed in the Modern Era, defined as 1985 to the present time. This Perspective aims to show that the roots of quantum control may be linked to endeavors to manipulate chemical reactions with lasers and thus reaches as far back as the invention of the laser in 1960. We will emphasize the role of advancing technology, the prescience in the questions raised by researchers, and the role of interdisciplinary research. The Perspective concludes with an assessment of what was achieved in the Early Era.

中文翻译：

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激光选择化学的早期时代 1960∼1985：现代量子控制的根源

物理学家在 1960 年发明了激光，彻底改变了科学界。在接下来的二十年里，理论家和实验家之间发生了富有成果的相互作用，寻求在激光选择性化学方面取得进展。在定义为 1960∼1985 的早期时代，科学家们逐渐意识到在分子尺度上进行定制操作的问题的巨大复杂性。然而，他们的努力为一个新的、更广泛的科学研究领域打开了大门，这个领域被称为量子控制，它在现代时代发展起来，定义为 1985 年至今。本观点旨在表明，量子控制的根源可能与用激光操纵化学反应的努力有关，因此可以追溯到 1960 年激光的发明。我们将强调先进技术的作用，研究人员提出问题的先见之明，以及跨学科研究的作用。该观点以对早期所取得成就的评估作为结尾。