X-ray diffraction from the ripple structures created by femtosecond laser pulses

In this paper, we present the investigation and characterization of the laser-induced surface structure on an asymmetrically cut InSb crystal. We describe diffraction from the ripple surface and present a theoretical model that can be used to simulate X-ray energy scans. The asymmetrically cut InSb sample was irradiated with short-pulse radiation centred at 800 nm, with fluences ranging from 10 to 80 mJ/cm2. The irradiated sample surface profile was investigated using optical and atomic force microscopy. We have investigated how laser-induced ripples influence the possibility of studying repetitive melting of solids using X-ray diffraction. The main effects arise from variations in local asymmetry angles, which reduce the attenuation length and increase the X-ray diffraction efficiency.