An array of nanowires having a relatively constant diameter and techniques
and apparatus for fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, a
technique for melting a material under vacuum and followed by pressure
injection of the molten material into the pores of a porous substrate
produces continuous nanowires. In another embodiment, a technique to
systematically change the channel diameter and channel packing density of
an anodic alumina substrate includes the steps of anodizing an aluminum
substrate with an electrolyte to provide an anodic aluminum oxide film
having a pore with a wall surface composition which is different than
aluminum oxide and etching the pore wall surface with an acid to affect at
least one of the surface properties of the pore wall and the pore wall
composition.