Modification of the Surface Microtopography of a Bronze Alloy under Irradiation with a Scanning Beam of Nanosecond Laser Radiation Pulses

Abstract

Using noncontact optical profilometry, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy methods, the effect of the treatment with a scanning beam of nanosecond laser pulses with a wavelength of 355 nm on the surface of a Cu–Cr–Zr bronze alloy is studied. The formation of periodic spherical structures with a diameter of less than 500 nm arranged on conical pedestal supports about 1 μm in height is observed on the bronze alloy surface after laser treatment. It is found that the surface topology of the bronze alloy depends on the laser pulse energy density in the range of 0.2–1.7 J/cm2 and on the scanning rate of the laser beam (0.5–1.0 mm/s) at a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz.