Laser-induced self-organisation of coupled thermodeformation fields on surfaces of solids

A theory of self-organisation of periodic surface thermodeformation (TD) fields in crystals irradiated by laser pulses is developed. The period of the TD structure is obtained as a function of the pulse duration and the temperature of the medium. The theoretical results are in a good agreement with the experimental data on quasi-periodic damage of Si surfaces by laser pulses of various durations.