Semiconductor nanowires

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) represent a unique system for exploring phenomena at the nanoscale and are also expected to play a critical role in future electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here we review recent advances in growth, characterization, assembly and integration of chemically synthesized, atomic scale semiconductor NWs. We first introduce a general scheme based on a metal-cluster catalyzed vapour-liquid-solid growth mechanism for the synthesis of a broad range of NWs and nanowire heterostructures with precisely controlled chemical composition and physical dimension. Such controlled growth in turn results in controlled electrical and optical properties. Subsequently, we discuss novel properties…

• HU
  Harvard University
• UO
  University of Michigan