ZnO nano-rods synthesized by nano-particle-assisted pulsed-laser deposition

We succeeded in synthesizing ZnO nanorods by nanoparticle assisted pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) without using any catalyst where nanoparticles formed by condensation of ablated particles play an important role. The nanorods have an average size of about 120 nm. Stimulated emission was observed from ZnO nanorods at 388 nm by optical pumping. The size-controlling of nanorods can be achieved by controlling the size and the density of these nanoparticles. PACS 61.46.+w; 81.07.Bc; 78.66.Hf; 78.67.Bf; 81.16.Mk.