Abstract A new effect of generation of the electromagnetic pulses (in a radio-wave range) under irradiation of solids with a lazer beam has been observed. The parameters of the electromagnetic radiation pulses were shown to be connected with the characteristics of the samples under study. Analysis of the experimental results has also shown the connection of duration of the radio-wave pulses with a density of dislocations in the samples. The observed electromagnetic radiation appearing under the lazer beam irradiation od solids is suggested to be a source of information about physical processes and characteristics of solids.