  Time-resolved diffraction microscopy technique has been used to observe the
formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) from the
interaction of a single femtosecond laser pulse (pump) with a nano-scale groove
mechanically formed on a single-crystal Cu substrate. The interaction dynamics
(0-1200 ps) was captured by diffracting a time-delayed, frequency-doubled pulse
from nascent LIPSS formation induced by the pump with an infinity-conjugate
microscopy setup. The LIPSS ripples are observed to form sequentially outward
from the groove edge, with the first one forming after 50 ps. A 1-D analytical
model of electron heating and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation
induced by the interaction of incoming laser pulse with the groove edge
qualitatively explains the time-evloution of LIPSS formation.
