The interaction of fermosecond laser pulses in the near-infrared region with non-oxidic ceramics such as silicon carbide, SiC, a composite compound SiC-TiC-TiB2, and aluminium nitride, AIN, was investigated with respect to morphological changes. Multi-pulse irradiation resulted in negligible melting and debris. Most interesting was the occurrence of periodic structures (ripples). These self-assembled nanostructures showed an orientation perpendicular to the plane of polarization. All materials exhibited at least two different periodicities. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) allowed correlating the chemical composition of the ceramic compound with the morphological nature of these ripples. Phenomena near the ablation threshold are discussed in terms of non-thermal melting processes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.