Patent ID: 8030729

Claim:
A device for absorbing or emitting light, comprising: a first layer; a second layer; a first plurality of nanowires established between the first and the second layers, the first plurality of nanowires formed of a uniform composition of a first semiconductor material and configured to absorb or emit light of a first wavelength or range of wavelengths; a third layer; and a second plurality of nanowires established between the second and third layers, the second plurality of nanowires formed of a uniform composition of a second semiconductor material having a bandgap that is different from a bandgap of the first semiconductor material, and the second plurality of nanowires configured to absorb or emit light of a second wavelength or range of wavelengths that is different from the first wavelength or range of wavelengths; the second layer physically separating each of the nanowires in the first plurality from each of the nanowires in the second plurality; and the second layer and at least one of the first layer or the third layer being formed of a semiconductor material or a conducting material.