Abstract
The effect of high energy, focused laser pulse produced from laser microspectral analyser LMA1 on glass and stainless steel targets have been investigated. The resultant damage in the surface of the targets is mainly due to thermal effects of the laser beam. Multiple-beam Fizeau fringes at reflection were applied to determine the depth of the craters. The dependence of the evaporated material, the depth of the depression and the depressed area on the applied tube voltage of the laser pulse have been determined. Comparison between the rate of propagation of the damage in glass and in stainless steel targets was also carried out.