The Advanced Study Institute on Breakdown and Discharges in Gases was held in Les Arcs, France, June 28 to July 10, 1981. The object of the Institute was to provide a broad but compre hensive presentation of the various topics in the field of Gaseous electronics. To achieve this goal, a number of lectures, seminars, and panel discussions were scheduled. Each topic was developed by two tutorial and/or review lectures, and brought to the present state of the topic by seminars and panel discussions. The program of topics and speakers was selected with the assistance of the advisory committee composed of: J. A. Rees, European Coordinator, England; M. Goldman, French Coordinator, France; A. H. Guenther, USA; M. Kristiansen, USA; and A. V. Phelps, USA. The most memorable aspect of the Institute was the sustained high interest of the faculty and participants for the two week period. The daily schedule was demanding: five hours of lectures, two hours of seminars and one of discussion. These sessions were often extended because of presentation by the participants of im proptu seminars. The discussions were intense. Majestic }10nt Blanc provided the backdrop for the lecture hall, and these surroundings and the weather contributed to the overall positive mood. It was a wonderful occasion. The lectures and seminars have been collected into two volumes."

This volume contains the lectures and seminars on Coronas, Gas Discharges, Diagnostics, Plasma Chemistry, and Applications pre sented at the Advanced Study Institute on Breakdown and Discharges in Gases. The Institute was held in Les Arcs, France, during June 28 to July 10, 1981. The first volume has been devoted to the areas of Basic Discharge Processes, Kinetic Theory and Gas Break down. This collection is both tutorial and representative of the state of the field. We hope it will be useful both to beginners and experienced researchers. We are grateful to a number of organizations for providing financial assistance. The Scientific Affiars Division of NATO provided the major contribution for the Institute. The Office of Naval Research, the Naval Surface Weapons Center at Dahlgren, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Air Force Weapons Laboratory provided additional support. The National Science Foun dation financed the travel of one student. We would like to acknowledge the many people who helped us organize and carry the Institute to its successful completion."