Interaction of Nd:YAG laser, operating at 266 nm wavelength and a pulse duration of 40 ps, with AISI 1045 steel was studied. Surface damage threshold was estimated to be 0.14 J/cm(2). The steel surface modi. cation was studied at the laser fluence of similar to 1.0 J/cm(2). The energy absorbed from Nd: YAG laser beam is partially converted to thermal energy, which generates a series of effects, such as melting, vaporization of the molten material, shock waves, etc. The following AISI 1045 steel surface morphological changes and processes were observed: (i) intensive damage of the target in the central zone of irradiated area; (ii) appearance of periodic surface structures at nano-level, with periodicity in agreement with the used wavelength; (iii) reduction of oxygen concentration in irradiated area; and (iv) development of plasma in front of the target. Generally, interaction of laser beam with AISI 1045 steel (at 266 nm) results in a near-instantaneous creation of damage, meaning that large steel surfaces can be modified in short times. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.