Metallographic and microscopic techniques have been applied to the study of laser targets of various materials. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of foils and wires that had been irradiated by a 10‐J laser (wavelength 1.06 &mgr;m) were followed by sectioning through the holes both longitudinally and transversely. Foils of gold and titanium show considerable melting and splatter on the front surface, a hole through the foil, and spalling from the rear surface. Polyethylene shows tensile fracture on the front surface, clouds of large and very small bubbles around the hole near the entering surface, and evidence of the ejection of molten material from the rear surface. In addition, a lenticular void appears near the center of the film. Gold wires, in addition to being ruptured, show a lanceolate void along the axis of the wire extending to well outside the supposed area of influence. As yet only hypotheses for this behavior exist.