An apparatus and method are disclosed for removal of material from a substrate or structure using a broadband flashlamp-type radiator (200) for providing broadband radiant energy (204), an ultraviolet radiator (302), lamp head or other focusing means (212) for directing the broadband radiant energy (204) and ultraviolet radiant energy (306) onto the surface of the coating or coatings or other material to be removed, thereby resulting in the ablation and photodissociation of the material, and a residual constituents removing means (108), such as flowing CO2 pellets, liquid CO2, jets of compressed air, particles or other flowing gases or liquids.