New structure phenomena with the grain sizes of 60 nm to 1 mu m would be expected on the stainless steel surface by Nd:YAG pulsed laser irradiation. Nano-structures with various shapes and sizes were formed mainly during the solidification and most shapes of particles were diversiform according to different distances from the center of the spot. The morphologies were of equiaxed nano-particles and faceted hexagons. The surface re-solidification velocities have been estimated according to the numeral simulation of the thermal conditions. It was proved by the XRD that they were mainly consisted of gamma-Fe and manganese oxides. The XPS results confirmed the EDS results that on the surface the alloy elemental composition in the outermost layer were rich in Mn and poor in Fe and in reverse in the center of the laser spot. Through observation of morphologies grown on the laser irradiated surfaces, direct evidence of growth mode transition from a continuous form to a lateral form was provided in one laser spot. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.