Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized directly on cobalt fine particles by chemical vapor deposition, where nanometer-sized catalyst particles were supplied by pulsed laser vaporization in an ethanol-vapor-flowing quartz tube. Transmission electron microscope observation revealed that the bundle of SWNTs with less amorphous carbon material was obtained using this technique. Dependences of the amount and the diameter distribution of the obtained SWNTs on the furnace temperature were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.