Semiconductor Nanowires

Abstract

Semiconductor nanowires are cylindrical semiconducting crystal having a diameter d of the order of 100 nm or lower and a high (>∼10) length over diameter aspect ratio. They have been demonstrated in many different materials systems and constitute a various and dynamical research field in the framework of solid-state physics, nanoscience, and nanotechnology. Their interest resides both in their peculiar fundamental properties and in the possibility of developing original nanoscale devices. This article will introduce and review the synthesis methods for bottom-up semiconductor nanowires. Then, their specific properties will be addressed. A third section is specifically dedicated to discussing the technological approaches for the realization of nanowire devices and to different device applications.