We report a simple method to generated metallic nanowire arrays. By irradia
ting thin organic films with embedded silver or gold nanoparticles with ser
ies of ultrashort laser pulses, wire arrays containing more than 30 nearly
parallel wires several microns in length are formed. The individual nanowir
es are between 100 and 200 mn wide with equal line space ratios, significan
tly smaller than the laser wavelength used. The wire direction correlates t
o the linear polarization of the laser pulses. This structural dependence o
n the laser polarization is mirrored in corresponding anisotropic optical a
nd electrical film properties. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.