A method for the ultra-fast photodissociation of water molecules into H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases is presented. Water vapor is initially produced and supplied to a photolysis bottle. Within the photolysis bottle, the water vapor is illuminated by a light signal to dissociate H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases from the water vapor. The dissociated H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases are radiated with an RF signal to inhibit recombination of the dissociated H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases, and the dissociated H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases are subsequently recovered.