The UV laser-induced desorption of CO from an epitaxial film of NiO(100) on Ni(100) yields a linear dependence of the desorption signal on the laser intensity with a cross-section of (8.3 +/- 0.9) x 10(-18) cm(2). Rotational and vibrational temperatures of 870 K and 1340 K, respectively, are observed. State-resolved velocity distributions are observed, where one part can be described by a Maxwellian flux distribution with < E-kin >/2k ranging from 1000 to 1800 K. In addition a faster component is present which gains in importance for increasing J(n). A distinct rotation-translational coupling is found. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.