We report the photo-induced crystallization behaviour of Au+-doped silicate glasses fabricated by Ti: sapphire femtosecond pulsed laser and successive heat treatment. Absorption spectra showed gold nanoparticles precipitated near the f ocal point of the laser beam. We also demonstrate that the size distribution of nanoparticles can be controlled by the laser irradiation conditions. Gold nanop articles-doped glasses reveal stronger optical limiting effects for nano-second laser pulses, and optical nonlinearities of the composite glass were also affec ted by laser irradiation conditions.