Synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was carried out by an ablation method using a XeCl excimer laser with the oscillation wavelength of 308 nm. It was irradiated onto a graphite target containing Co and Ni at the temperatures of 1273 K, 1373 K, 1473 K and 1623 K under the atmosphere (0.1 M Pa) of Ar gas with the flow rate of 12 ml/min. It was found that SWNTs were formed in ablated carbonaceous soot. The diameter distribution and the length were estimated to be 1.2 similar to 1.7 nm and > 2 mu m, respectively, by the measurements of Raman spectrum and images of scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The yield of SWNTs was the highest for the laser ablation at the highest temperature of 1623 K. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.