Wavelength Dependence of Picosecond Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures on Copper

The physical mechanisms of the laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) formation are studied in this paper for single-pulse irradiation regimes. The change in the LIPSS period with wavelength of incident laser radiation is investigated experimentally, using a picosecond laser system, which provides 7-ps pulses in near-IR, visible, and UV spectral ranges. The experimental results are compared with predictions made under the assumption that the surface-scattered waves are involved in the LIPSS formation. Considerable disagreement suggests that hydrodynamic mechanisms can be responsible for the observed pattern periodicity.