An alternative, nonelectrical method for obtaining a dense radiating p
lasma and the possibilities of using this method to pump solid-state l
asers are investigated. The plasma was obtained experimentally by heat
ing the working gas in a two-stage ballistic plasmatron. A new device
a vortex chamber - is proposed for transferring energy into the plasma
tron-laser system. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7842
(98)01309-9].