CONTENTS
Introduction 650
I. Gas Breakdown 651
1. Measurements of Threshold Parameters 651
2. Multiquantum Photoeffect 654
3. Cascade Ionization (Qualitative Picture) 656
4. Growth of Electron Energy in Radiation Field 657
5. Calculations of Cascade Ionization 660
II. Absorption of Beam and Heating of Gas
6. Measurements of Absorption and Scattering of a Laser Beam and Heating of the Gas in the Breakdown Region 661
7. Wave of Light Absorption and Gas Heating. "Detonation" Mechanism 663
8. "Breakdown" and "Radiative" Mechanisms 666
9. The Spark as a Strong Explosion. Spark in a Magnetic Field 668
10. Production of Plasma from a Solid Target 670
11. Conditions of High-temperature Heating of Hydrogen 671
12. Literature