The discharge initiation in vacuum gap by moderate intensity optical range radiation

The hypothesis of discharge initiation in vacuum gap by optical range radiation based on previously obtained experimental data. During the laser pulse interaction with electrode erosion products the glow discharge has ignited. In result of ioniza-tion-overheating instability the discharge has had current channel contraction and has transferred to arc. The dependences of material of target thermo dynamical parameters on the minimal and threshold laser pulse energy have demonstrated. The threshold laser pulse energy – the energy which enough to effective impact on the laser plasma.