The existing bibliographies on collision-induced absorption (CIA) list more than 800 original papers published in the 45 years of history of the field. Furthermore, a number of review articles focusing on one aspect of CIA or another are listed, along with compilations of lectures given at summer schools, advanced research seminars or scientific conferences. A monograph which attempts to review the experimental and theoretical foundations of CIA, however, cannot be found in these carefully compiled listings.

Yet the field is of great significance and continues to attract numerous specialists from various disciplines. CIA is a basic science dealing with the interaction of supermolecular systems with light. It has important applications, for example in the atmospheric sciences. CIA exists in all molecular fluids and mixtures. It is ubiquitous in dense, neutral matter and is especially striking in matter composed of infrared-inactive molecules. As a science, CIA has long since acquired a state of maturity. Not only do we have a wealth of experimental observations and data for virtually all common gases and liquids, but rigorous theory based on first principles exists and explains nearly all experimental results in considerable detail. Ab initio calculations of most aspects of CIA are possible which show a high degree of consistency with observation, especially in the low-density limit.