Surface mico-structures on amorphous alloys induced by vortex femtosecond laser pulses

This paper investigates the generation of self-organized surface structures on amorphous alloys by vortex femtosecond laser pulses. The scanning electron microscope characterizations show that the as-formed structures are periodic ripples, aperiodic ripples, and `coral-like' structures. Optimal conditions for forming these surface structures are determined in terms of pulses number at a given pulse energy. The applicable mechanism is suggested to interpret the formation and evolution of the `coral-like' structures.