The TG and DTA curves and diffractograms of powdered CeO2 samples irra
diated with a CO2 laser beam with powers of 0.41-1.39 kW/cm2 are prese
nted. The laser treatment induced structural changes and probably gene
ration of a metastable phase. X-ray diffraction coupled with thermal a
nalysis was used to establish the structural modifications in the irra
diated samples after heating.