One of the most exciting predictions of Einstein's theory of gravitationisthat there may exist 'black holes': putative objects whose gravitational fields are so strong that no physical bodies and signals can break free of their pull and escape. Even though a completely reliable discovery of a black hole has not yet been made, several objects among those scrutinized by astrophysicists will very likely be conformed as black holes. The proof that they do exist, and an analysis of their properties, would have a significance going far beyond astrophysics. Indeed, what is involved is not just the...

Here is both a textbook for beginners and a handbook for specialists in plasma physics and gaseous electronics. The book contains much useful data: results of experiments and calculations, and reference data. It provides estimates of typical parameters and formulas in forms suitable for computations. Gas discharges of all important types are discussed: breakdown, glow, arc, spark and corona at radio frequency, microwave and optical frequences. The generation of plasma, and its application to high power gas lasers are treated in detail.