Composition and time evolution of the gas plume were investigated duri
ng a PLD of SmBaCuO thin films. Optical emission spectroscopy was empl
oyed for investigating the laser-induced plasma plume. The mean veloci
ty of ions has been estimated to be slower when the experiment is perf
ormed in the presence of a buffer gas. Sm-based thin films produced we
re morphologically characterized by SEM analysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V.