Optoelectronic Device with a Nanowire Semiconductor Layer

A heterostructure for use in an electronic or optoelectronic device is provided. The heterostructure includes one or more semiconductor layers containing columnar nanostructures (e.g., nanowires). The nanowire semiconductor layer can include sub-layers of varying composition, at least one of which is an active layer that can include quantum wells and barriers. A heterostructure can include n-type and p-type semiconductor contact layers adjacent to the nanowire semiconductor layer containing the active layer.