IrO 2 thin films were prepared by laser ablation using an Ir target at substrate temperatures (T sub ) from room temperature (RT) to 873 K in an oxygen atmosphere. A small amount of Ir metal was contained in IrO 2 films prepared at T sub ¼ RT. The lattice parameters particularly a-axis values decreased with increasing T sub , and the values were a ¼ 0:452 nm, c ¼ 0:315 nm at T sub ¼ 873 K in agreement with those of bulk IrO 2 . The surface roughness increased from 1.2 to 5.2 nm with increasing T sub . These values imply that the IrO 2 films were far smoother than those prepared by MOCVD and sputtering. The electrical conductivity of IrO 2 films prepared at T sub ¼ RT changed from semiconductor-like to metallic behavior after a heat-treatment; on the other hand, those prepared at T sub > 573 K were metallic without changing after heat-treatment. The IrO 2 films prepared at T sub ¼ 873 K showed the highest electrical conductivity of 37 Â 10 À8 m at RT. The optical transmittance of IrO 2 thin films were mainly dependent on thickness and surface roughness, and were around 10% at a wavelength range from 300 to 800 nm.