The lower limits of the fast ionization waves velocity in a high-intensity laser radiation field

The kinetic processes before the front of an ionizing wave in a gas are investigated. The lower limits of the propagation velocity of a plane ionization wave in the field of high-intensity laser radiation are determined. The results of calculations of the lower boundaries of the velocity of fast ionization waves in argon in the field of a CO₂-laser are given. The calculation results are compared with experimental data and other theories. (paper)