Problems of the physics of high-power ultrashort laser pulse interaction with transparent solids

The contribution of A.M. Prokhorov to quantum electronics is briefly reviewed. The recent experimental data in the field of laser damage (LD) of transparent solids by ultrashort pulses are analysed. The dependence of the LD threshold on the pulse duration and the damage morphology are discussed. The experimental data are interpreted within the framework of the theoretical concepts of the LD mechanisms. In particular, the criteria for a change in the damage morphology from cracks to ablation are formulated at transition of an irradiation regime from long pulses to ultrashort ones.