Thin films of LixMn2O4 and LixCoO2 have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition on heated stainless steel substrates. These films have thicknesses from 0.2 to 1.5 mu m and are crystalline without postdeposition annealing. The films’ electrochemical properties were studied with cyclic voltammetry, current pulse measurements, and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. Film capacity densities as high as 56 and 62 mu Ah/cm(2)-mu m were measured for LixMn2O4 and LixCoO2, respectively. Chemical diffusivities on the order of 2.5 x 10(-11) and 1 x 10(-10) were measured for LixMn2O4 and LixCoO2, respectively. Some of the films were cycled electrochemically for up to 300 cycles against lithium metal in 1 M LiClO4/propylene carbonate electrolyte, demonstrating the promise of pulsed laser deposition for the production of cathode films for rechargeable lithium microbatteries.