Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire-based photodetectors that can be used to convert information encoded in a channel of electromagnetic radiation into a photocurrent encoding the same information. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photodetector comprises a waveguide configured to transmit one or more channels of electromagnetic radiation. The photodetector includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are positioned on opposite sides of the waveguide. The photodetector also includes a number of nanowires. Each nanowire interconnects the first terminal to the second terminal and a portion of each nanowire is embedded in the waveguide.