An investigation of athermal luminescence triggered at a tungsten surface b
y thermal deformations produced by laser pulses is reported. The spectral c
omposition and time dependence of individual spectral components of the lum
inescence are investigated. Oscillations of the luminescence intensity are
observed, and they are interpreted as a definite sequence of emergence of d
islocations at the surface. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-
7834(99)00309-3].