LIGHT-INDUCED DETONATION IN GASES.

Propagation of an intense (ionizing) shock wave opposite to a laser beam is considered. The structure of the wavefront and the restructuring that occurs when the laser light intensity changes are determined. The velocity of the wave and the thermodynamic parameters of the equilibrium plasma behind the shock front are calculated. The parameters of the nonequilibrium plasma at the shock front are also determined. The calculations, which are carried out for hydrogen, helium, and argon, indicate that the laser light is generally absorbed in the zone of nonequilibrium ionization.