History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back On the research laboratory of M.S. Rabinovich in 1960–70 G.M. Batanov The idea suggested by V.I. Veksler that plasma bunches can undergo radiative acceleration by microwave radiation pressure has given impetus to plasma physics research at the Lebedev Physical Institute, in the laboratory headed in 1960-1970s by M.S. Rabinovich. On his initiative and owing to his active support, the laboratory has made progress in original investigations in the following directions: high-temperature plasma confinement in stellarators; laboratory modeling of solar flares (the formation of current sheets during cumulation of magnetic energy near singular magnetic field lines and its explosive liberation); effects of self-focusing and nonlinear refraction of laser radiation, and multi-photon ionization of gases; generation of high-power microwave pulses by high-current relativistic electron beams (plasma electronics with the use of REBs); nonlinear interaction of strong microwave fields with plasma; microwave torches and microwave discharges in gases. Nowadays, these lines of investigations still remain key lines in plasma physics. Key words: plasma physics, plasma confinement in stellarators; modeling of solar flares, self-focusing and nonlinear refraction of laser radiation, multi-photon ionization of gases; plasma electronics with the use of REBs, nonlinear interaction of strong microwave fields with plasma. batanov@fpl.gpi.ru