Matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation utilizing an infrared laser has been used to deposit poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene thin films. The surface morphology has been investigated by surface sensitive techniques and it was found that the 'goodness' of the solvent (as defined by solubility parameters) strongly influences the morphology of the deposited films. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.