A micropattern. induced by laser interference on the surface of a copper alloy specimen is characterized using rotated image with maximum average power spectrum (RIMAPS) technique and the variogram method. The experimental bidimensional pattern is compared to the expected ideal regular one. Results confirm that the systematic use of RIMAPS and variograms, helps to determine how far the real surface obtained in the experiment differs from ideal regular micropattern. The dimensions of irregularities that cause the discrepancy between the obtained and ideal micropattern are also quantified. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.