Giant photoresistivity and optically controlled switching in self-assembled nanowires

We report the observation of giant photoresistivity in electrochemically self-assembled CdS and ZnSe nanowires electrodeposited in a porous alumina film. The resistance of these nanowires increases by one to two orders of magnitude when exposed to infrared radiation, possibly because of real-space transfer of electrons from the nanowires into the surrounding alumina by photon absorption. This phenomenon has potential applications in “normally on” infrared photodetectors and optically controlled switches.