Processing condition influence on the characteristics of gold nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquids

► Au colloids were prepared by nanosecond laser ablation of solid in water. ► The influence of laser wavelength on the particle size distribution was studied. ► The formation of nanowires using 355 and 532 nm laser wavelengths was observed. ► Unfocused laser illumination of the colloid leads to nanowires disintegration. ► Optical transmission spectra of the samples were measured from 300 to 900 nm.