Direct writing of micronscale gold tracks on alumina samples is possible by local thermal decomposition of a metallopolymer spread all over the substrate surface, induced by a tightly focused cw Ar+laser beam. The polymer decomposition occurs at low laser powers and leads to the formation of very pure deposits as shown by SEM+EDS analyses. The influence of laser scan speed and laser power on the carbon contamination and the resistivity of the deposits has been investigated. Line profiles have also been studied as a function of laser scan speed and laser power. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.