[en] The characteristics and mechanism of the self-quenched streamer mode have been explored using laser induced ionization. Both the size of the streamer signal and the transformation from proportional to streamer mode depend on high voltage and the primary ionization density. Two nearby tracks influence each other mainly by space charge effects. The zone of influence depends on relative drift time of the tracks but is less than 3 mm along the anode. The influence is less with argon-free strong quenching gas mixtures. (orig.)