A method of forming nanometer sized fine particles of functional ceramic from a bulk functional ceramic, particularly fine particles of phosphorous ceramics from a bulk phosphor material is disclosed. The method relies on irradiation of a bulk phosphorous ceramic in a liquid with an ultrashort-pulsed-laser-fragmentation beam to thereby form nanometer sized particles of the phosphorous ceramic. The method is unique in that the generated particles retain the chemical and crystalline properties of the bulk phosphorous ceramic. The generated solutions are stable colloids from which the particles can be isolated or used as is.