We describe and analyze the growth of III-V semiconductor nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy
activated with gold particles. We focus on (Al)GaAs(P) and InP(As) compounds. Optimal conditions of substrate
surface preparation and adequate growth parameters are reported. The catalyst particles are shown to be rich in
group-III atoms and liquid when nanowires form. The favorable growth temperatures thus depend on which
group-III element is used. We explain why the nanowires often adopt the unusual wurtzite structure, pointing out
that the crystalline phase is determined at the nucleation stage and that high liquid supersaturation is necessary.
The kinetics of nanowire elongation is investigated with an original method based on modulations of the incident
fluxes. The group-III flux intercepted by the nanowire sidewall facets is the main contribution to axial growth.
Conditions leading to a short diffusion length of the group-III adatoms on these facets, produce lateral growth that
we use to form abrupt core-shell heterostructures. We also present a method to bury vertical freestanding
nanowires by a planar epitaxial growth. This process induces the layer-by-layer transformation of the nanowire
phase from wurtzite to zinc-blende. Finally, the statistics of nucleation at the liquid-solid interface is revealed by
using the flux modulation method. We show that the diluted concentration of group-V atoms in the nano-sized
catalyst drop is at the origin of the self-regulation of the nucleation events.
Keywords: Semiconductor nanowire, molecular beam epitaxy, vapor liquid solid growth, nucleation, catalystassisted
growth, crystal phase, growth kinetics, core-shell heterostructures.