Nanoparticle thin films of nanocrystalline YAG by pulsed laser deposition

Low dimensional nanostructures of YAG thin films preserving the garnet phase of nanocrystalline sol-gel YAG have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature. The crystalline structure of the films has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Experimental results indicate that the as prepared films appear to be polycrystalline and constituted of nanocrystalline nanoparticles. The appearance of new Raman peaks suggest that the nanoparticulate character of the films changes the vibration modes of the Y-O bonds. The surface morphology and thickness of the films has been investigated by High resolution scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.