The theory of photonucleation kinetics

The paper deals with the kinetic theory of cluster formation of a condensed phase in supersaturated vapor under laser radiation. Two channels of the photonucleation kinetics are defined. The kinetic equations for the distribution function of the cluster size are derived using the methods of nonequilibrium statistical thermodynamics. The first channel involves direct heat impact of the laser radiation on the cluster of a condensed phase. The second channel of photonucleation deals with resonance excitation of vapor molecules under the effect of laser radiation at the specific of wavelength and deactivation of internal degrees of freedom of the vapor molecules during collisions with the cluster surface. The important dimensionless groups of physical parameters, which characterize these channels of photonucleation, are obtained.