Application of Electron and Optical Microscopy in Studying Laser-Irradiated Metal Surfaces

Electron and optical microscopy were applied in studying laser-irradiated metal surfaces. The preparation of carbon replica films of irradiated surfaces is described. A summary of observations from irradiated Ag, Al, Be, Cu, Pb, and low-carbon steel is given. Microcraters of less than 10 μ diam were found to be an early stage in the development of radiation damage on laser-irradiated metal surfaces. The observed surface structure is assumed to be of interest when interpreting experiments on the interaction of laser beams with metal surfaces.