Embodiments of the disclosure generally provides a method and apparatus for a polishing article or polishing pad having a microstructure that facilitates uniform conditioning when exposed to laser energy. In one embodiment, a polishing pad comprising a combination of a first material and a second material is provided, and the first material is more reactive to laser energy than the second material. In another embodiment, a method of texturing a composite polishing pad is provided. The method includes directing a laser energy source onto a surface of the polishing pad to affect a greater ablation rate within a first material having a greater laser absorption rate and a lesser ablation rate within a second material having a lesser laser absorption rate to provide a micro-textured surface consistent with microstructure of the composite polishing pad.