About the BookThe book aims at bringing the reader up-to-date with the latest achievements and trends in the physics of laser processes, as well as at  providing sufficient information so that the reader can then independently make use of specialized literature in this field. It describes the present state of affairs in the development of laser technology from the point of view of research as well as applications in various branches of industry.The book was translated from the Russian by Ram S. Wadhwa and was first published by Mir Publishers in 1983.