This paper presents an analysis of gas breakdown by laser action, assuming that the final state of the laser-beam-gas interaction is described by a plasma in local thermodynamic equilibrium. A simple formula is obtained which correlates the threshold electric field with the initial gas pressure and the temperature, in agreement with experiments.

• Received 15 July 1969

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.23.954