We report a new kind of experimental realization of a porous SnO2 thin film, which is based on a pulsed delivery process at room temperature. Microstructural analysis shows that the as-prepared thin film consists of a continuous network of interconnected crystalline SnO2 nanoparticles (rutile structure). As a result, this porous SnO2 thin film possesses a high surface area and continuous porosity, which is especially desirable for gas sensor design. The optical measurement shows that the porous SnO2 thin film presents the surface characteristics that generate a red emission band that may be exploited in gas sensors or other optoelectronic devices. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.