Gas breakdown, steady-state maintenance and the continuous generation of a low-temperature plasma, and propagation of the plasma fronts, all are induced by laser radiation. By nature, and in conformity with the fundamental laws, these effects are not different from similar processes that occur in constant and alternating fields and which are a traditional subject of the study of the physics of gas discharge. In fact, a new chapter has been added to the gas-discharge sciences: discharge at optical frequencies. It is a rapidly developing new field which encourages both new experiments and applications. It appears useful at this time to characterize the position occupied by the new field within the general framework of discharge sciences, and to analyze and appraise the latest results.

RT Journal
T1 Optical discharges
A1 Raizer,Yu.P.
PB Physics-Uspekhi
PY 1980
FD 10 Nov, 1980
JF Physics-Uspekhi
JO Phys. Usp.
VO 23
IS 11
SP 789-806
DO 10.1070/PU1980v023n11ABEH005064
LK https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1980/11/e/