[en] Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the velocity distribution of sputtered neutral, ground state U atoms produced by bombardment of the metal target by normally incident 1 to 3 keV Kr⁺ and Ar⁺. The data were obtained using a pulsed Nd-Yag pumped tunable dye laser. Determination of the v-perpendicular (velocity component of the sputtered atom perpendicular to the target surface) velocity distribution was accomplished by scanning the wavelength of the exciting laser (the laser beam was normal to the target surface) through the Doppler shifted adsorption frequencies of the sputtered U atoms. In order to interpret the observed velocity distributions it was found that one has to pay careful attention to the details of the laser induced fluorescence process itself and to the geometry of the optical system used to excite and detect the fluorescent emission. It was determined in the present work that it is essential to know the transition rates associated with the atomic levels involved in the fluorescent excitation and emission process, the laser intensity and bandwidth, the spatial dimensions of the ion beam on the target, and the fluorescent excitation and emission regions as defined by the exciting laser beam and the light collection optics. Neglect of these parameters could lead one to conclude erroneously that sputtered atoms with negative velocities are moving back towards the target surface. (orig./BHO)