AbstractSilicon nanocrystals have been fabricated by picosecond pulsed laser ablation. Size control over the nanocrystals can be achieved by careful selection of experimental geometry, laser fluence, laser wavelength, backing gas pressure and distance from plume center. Measurements of optical absorption and photoluminescence confirm that particle size variation does significantly affect bandgap and emission efficiency. Differences between results published previously for nanosecond pulsed laser ablation will also be discussed.