Stability of laser-radiation absorption waves and mechanisms of their turbulization

An analysis is made of a series of gasdynamic instabilities capable of turbulization of a plasma formed as a result of laser irradiation of a solid target surrounded by air. The problem of stability of a plane infinitely thin front of a laser "flame" is solved. The results are given of experiments confirming the occurrence of turbulent mixing in a plasma jet at moderate (10⁶–10⁸ W/cm²) laser radiation intensities.