Synthesis, physical properties and applications of semiconductor nanowires

Nanowires have been a top-five focused research topics in physics, and stimulated intensive interests world-wide. In this review, we sumurrize the controllable growth of semiconductor nanowires, highlight the unique physical properties of the nanowires, expatiate their potential applications for high quality vacuum electron source, novel efficient optoelectronic devices, new-type energy devices, and finally discuss the future development prospects.