We
present laser-induced photothermal synthesis of atomically precise
graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The kinetics of photothermal bottom-up
GNR growth are unravelled by in situ Raman spectroscopy
carried out in ultrahigh vacuum. We photothermally drive the reaction
steps by short periods of laser irradiation and subsequently analyze
the Raman spectra of the reactants in the irradiated area. Growth
kinetics of chevron GNRs (CGNRs) and seven atoms wide armchair GNRs
(7-AGNRs) is investigated. The reaction rate constants for polymerization,
cyclodehydrogenation, and interribbon fusion are experimentally determined.
We find that the limiting rate constants for CGNR growth are several
hundred times smaller than for 7-AGNR growth and that interribbon
fusion is an important elementary reaction occurring during 7-AGNR
growth. Our work highlights that photothermal synthesis and in situ Raman spectroscopy are a powerful tandem for the
investigation of on-surface reactions.