The copper plates were initially in the as-rolled condition. They contained elongated grains with a high dislocation density. In FIB-micrographs, this kind of microstructure possesses a mottled contrast. At the site of final waves, only a thin surface layer with a thickness of 2–3 μm possessed crystal grains with a sharp contrast. These grains can be either formed during solidification or by the recrystallization. The thickness of the grains with a sharp contrast was much greater closer to the crater; i.e. in the region with a higher fluence (Fig. 4). Since it is not possible to distinguish crystal grains formed by solidification or by recrystallization, the thickness of the molten area cannot be determined.
The periodicity was measured at several places. The periodicity at a distance of 50 μm from the crater centre was 2.9 ± 0.5 μm (Fig. 4b, d); and this value was typical for the most of the wavelike area. Only at the largest distances from the crater, the periodicity was larger 5.2 ± 1.9 μm (Fig. 4a, c).